Bataan and Pasig will fight for the seventh playoff spot in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League North Division when they meet Friday night at the Camaya Events Place Center in Mariveles, Bataan.
The crucial play-in game is set for 7 p.m., with both teams carrying plenty of motivation after a tightly contested elimination round.
Bataan finished seventh, while Pasig placed eighth, putting the two teams directly against each other for a chance to move into the quarterfinal round. The top six teams already secured outright playoff berths.
Pasig enters the matchup with confidence after pulling off a dramatic 97-96 overtime victory over Bataan on May 12. The Pasiguenos erased a 15-point deficit in that game before forcing overtime and eventually escaping with the win.
Bataan now has an opportunity to answer that loss on its home floor.
Pasig will rely on MPBL All-Star Warlo Batac, along with Jacob Galicia, Jerome Garcia, Michael Lambino, Jhapz Bautista and Ahron Estacio. Several of those players played key roles in the previous overtime victory over Bataan.
Bataan, meanwhile, will look to Alfred Flores, Robbie Darang, Chris Javier and homegrown standout Yves Sazon to lead its attack. Hubert Cani, Migs Corteza, Mitchelle Maynes and Joshua Gallano are also expected to contribute.
The stakes extend beyond Friday’s opening matchup.
If Bataan wins, the Risers will advance to the playoffs, while Pasig will have to face the winner of the other North Division play-in game between ninth-ranked Quezon City and 10th-ranked Valenzuela City.
Quezon City and Valenzuela will meet at 5 p.m. in the other do-or-die encounter. The losing team will see its MPBL season come to an end.
Valenzuela defeated Quezon City, 90-83, during their earlier meeting on May 14, but Quezon City eventually finished ahead of the Darkhorses in the standings with an 11-4 record.
The Black Bulls will count on All-Star MJ Joson, Kobe Monje, Jake Agoncillo, Val Chauca, Ryan Costelo, Pat Buena and Rey Publico.
Valenzuela will counter with veterans Jay Collado and Ian Melencio, supported by Shaq Alanes, CJ Alattica, Geremy Robinson, JR Olegario, JR Ongteco and Angelo Obuyes.
With the margin for error reduced to a single game, Bataan and Pasig now have everything on the line. Their previous overtime thriller already showed how closely matched they can be — and Friday’s rematch will determine which team keeps its playoff hopes alive.
