Author: John Michael Decierdo Agustin
The Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) continues to heat up as teams battle for crucial wins in the final stretch of season 6. Yet again, this week, from September 23 to 28, with less than two weeks before the season ends, MPBL will feature some of the most thrilling matchups, with teams keeping their playoff bids and intense rivalries meeting for the first time this season. These are the games you don’t want to miss!
1. Valenzuela Classics DYNACAST vs. Iloilo United Royals (Sep. 24, 2024 @ 8 P.M., WES Arena, Valenzuela)
Valenzuela is currently sitting in the 10th seed in the North division at 13 wins and 13 losses. However, if they win against Mark Nonoy and the Iloilo United Royals, Valenzuela would move to 14-13 and be tied with Rizal and Quezon City, all of which are fighting for the 8th spot for the playoffs.
Meanwhile, this game won’t hold any bearing for the Ilonggos anymore since they have already failed to clinch a spot in the 2024 MPBL Playoffs.
2. Bacolod City of Smiles vs. Imus Agimat VA Drones (Sep. 27, 2024 @ 4 P.M., Caloocan Sports Complex)
It’s not much of a sight, and the Bacolod City of Smiles vs Imus Drones matchup is far from the San Juan Knights and Pampanga Giant Lanterns showdown. Unlike San Juan and Pampanga, Bacolod and Imus have the worst record in the South. They have won only one game and are tied at 1-26. This battle will give us who finally gets their second win in the season, and who will take the bottom spot.
3. San Juan Knights vs. Batang Kankaloo (Sep. 27, 2024 @ 8 P.M., Caloocan Sports Complex)
The San Juan Knights are undoubtedly the best team in the North and even in the league. They’ve only lost once and are locked at No.1 in the North division, just ahead of the reigning champs, the Pampanga Giant Lanterns.
They’ll meet Caloocan on their home turf, with the latter also clinching a playoff spot. But, the Batang Kankaloo, currently 5th in the North, may fall to a lower seed if they lose their final three games of the season.
4. Manila SV Batang Sampaloc vs. Zamboanga Master Sardines (Sep. 28, 2024 @ 8 P.M., San Andres Sports Complex, Malate, Manila)
Is Manila a contender this year? With Greg Slaughter, they sure are. Gregzilla has been on a tear in his first season in the MPBL. So far, he’s averaging great numbers as the starting center for the Manileños. The 36-year-old big man may finish the season with a double-double average of 16.6 points and 10 rebounds per game. Top that with 1.1 rejections a night, the Manila SV Batang Sampaloc may fare well in the North. However, Zamboanga is also another championship-contending team, and they won’t back down against Slaughter, Rabeh Al-Hussaini, and Carl Bryan Cruz.
Zamboanga’s Jaycee Marcelino is expected to put up a show against Manila and their home crowd on September 28.
