And then there were eight. The Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League playoffs continue to intensify after a grueling quarterfinal round. From 29 teams and 16 playoff hopefuls, now we’re down to just 8 contenders battling it out for a chance to take home the MPBL championship trophy.
Let’s take a closer look at the playoff picture for the semifinal round. Will we see another set of nail-biting matchups? Which teams do you think are most likely to advance to the division finals?
NORTH DIVISION
San Juan Knights vs. Caloocan Batang Kankaloo
To no one’s surprise, San Juan just cruised through their foes in the quarterfinals. Well, it’s expected given that they’re the best team in the league right now. They may go all the way this year, but it won’t be an easy road ahead for the Knights.
On the other hand, Caloocan had just come off an impressive start after an upset victory over the Greg Slaughter-led Manila Stars. They’re hot, eager, and determined to win, but they have to face the powerhouse team of San Juan featuring Michael Calisaan and three-point king Orlan Wamar Jr. That being said, the Caloocan Batang Kankaloo are huge underdogs compared to the San Juan Knights, but considering how they were able to take down the giants of Manila, can they continue that streak and eliminate the top seed in the North?
Predicted team to advance in the Division Finals: San Juan Knights
Pampanga Giant Lanters vs. Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards
The clash between two heavyweights in the North are looming in the corner.
Did you know that there’s someone better than Justine Baltazar? Well, it’s playoff mode Balti. If he’s already stellar in the 29-team elimination round, just wait and see how electrifying he gets in the playoffs. After all, he won both the regular season MVP and Finals MVP last year. The Giant Lanterns is an exciting team filled with extreme talent. Even without Baltazar, this team can go the distance with MJ Garcia, Encho Serrano, Archie Concepcion, and Jeff Viernes’ occasional scoring outbursts.
Meanwhile, John Wilson, Wil McAloney, Robby Celiz, MJ Ayaay, JC Cullar, and the rest of the Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards are already prepared to shut off the lights of the Giant Lanterns in the semifinals. One could say that Nueva Ecija and Pampanga have created a fervent rivalry, especially since both teams have both been crowned champions in the past (Nueva Ecija in 2022 and Pampanga in 2023).
Last season, Pampanga went undefeated in the playoffs, eventually taking the championship with ease. However, in 2022, the Giant Lanterns and the Rice Vanguards faced each other in the division semifinals, with Nueva Ecija coming out on top. Once again, both contenders will butt heads in the semifinal round, and the outcome may look a little different this time, especially with a prime Balti on the loose.
Predicted team to advance in the Division Finals: Pampanga Giant Lanterns
SOUTH DIVISION
Quezon Huskers vs. Parañaque Patriots
Quezon isn’t necessarily the team to beat this year, as that already belongs to either Pampanga or San Juan. But, the Quezon Huskers, the no.1 seed in the South, immediately has the highest chance of going to the MPBL Finals. If they had it pretty easy with Negros in the quarterfinals, that wouldn’t be the case against a rumbling Parañaque Patriots, the team who had just destroyed Jaycee Marcelino and the higher-seeded Zamboanga City.
We’re going to expect tough performances from the potential Rookie of the Year, All-Star starter LJ Gonzales, and the 2024 Most Improved Player frontrunner Ximone Sandagon. But, of course, Parañaque won’t go down swinging with All-Stars Jielo Razon and JP Sarao.
Predicted team to advance in the Division Finals: Quezon Huskers
Batangas City Tanduay Rum Masters vs. South Cotabato Warriors
Last year, Batangas City had a pretty good run in the playoffs after reaching the division finals. The Rum Masters came close to the championship but fell short against Bacoor City last year.
Meanwhile, South Cotabato had just come off fresh from their win against Biñan in a do-or-die game 3 in Laguna.
Hopefully, the Batangas City All-Stars Levi Hernandez and Cedric Ablaza keep everything exciting against a sudden scoring spree from Jammer Jamito and Mark Cruz.
Predicted team to advance in the Division Finals: Batangas City Tanduay Rum Masters
