Deadlocked 1-1 after the first two games in their quarter-final playoff, the Emperors and Sabay Tiger Mosquitoes get down to fight tomorrow’s game three that would give one of them the last available semi-final ticket in the ongoing Angkor Beer Cambodian Basketball League.

Set for a 4pm start at the Olympic Stadium Indoor Arena, the home of the second season of the country’s showpiece competition, the decisive game threatens to be a fierce battle of attrition given the slender margins that had split the sides in the last two encounters.

The Mosquitoes got home 59-57 in the opening game and held their own most of the way in the second last week, even sniffing victory at one stage until the Emperors stepped out of elimination fears with an extra time 64-61 win that stemmed from a couple of free throws with barely seconds on the clock left.

The Emperors camp is counting on the momentum generated by that thrilling comeback to deal with their rivals on a stronger footing this time.

The Mosquitoes, on the other hand, will be eager to get over the second game loss and play to their strengths, using unrivaled size advantage to optimum use.

This crucial game may turn out to be a tough and tense tactical test for either side with the Mosquitoes bent on asserting themselves under the rim and the Emperors leaning more towards dominance in perimeter shooting.

The winner will complete the line up for the semi-final beginning next week. Davies Paints, Mekong Tigers and Pate 310 have already booked their places in the last four.