TAKING care of their end of the bargain is the common goal of Meralco and Phoenix Super LPG when they collide Friday in the PBA Governors Cup's last day of eliminations at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
There is no room for any slip-up for either of the protagonists in their 3 p.m. matchup.
Simply put, the Bolts are looking for a win that would put them in the company of Magnolia Ang Pambansang Manok and NLEX within the top four, with the other slot and other quarterfinal rankings to be decided following the nightcap between TNT and NorthPort.
A Meralco win, coupled with a TNT loss to NorthPort later, would give the Bolts the No. 4 spot and the last twice-to-win advantage in the next round.
If both the Bolts and Tropang Giga prevail, then they would take the last two slots in the top four.
However, a Meralco loss followed by a TNT win would push the Bolts down to as low as No. 6.
Coach Norman Black's charges would be in a more dire situation if they lose and NorthPort wins, both in a big way. The Bolts would then be relegated to multiple ties at 6-5, which would first be resolved by quotient followed by a one-game sudden-death on Sunday.
Phoenix has its own agenda, although a far more humble one.
The Fuel Masters are simply targeting a quarterfinals spot, which would be realized should they emerge with a big winning margin over the Bolts and the Batang Pier win.
Phoenix would also claim No. 6 if it prevails and TNT also wins.
Should the Fuel Masters lose and the Tropa prevail, then Phoenix and NorthPort would both wind up with 5-6.
Wherever his team winds up, Phoenix coach Topex Robinson believes the Meralco game would be of great help for his side moving forward.
"We're excited for the opportunity to learn and grow," said Robinson on the eve of the match.
"Meralco is a championship-caliber team and we want to test how far we've come as a team."
