Manda, Antipolo, Caloocan eye berths in Coke Hoopla

Manila, Philippines - Quezon City, which swept the six-game Inter-City phase, clinched the East Zone berth in the second Coca-Cola Hoopla National Capital Region Championship, but six other teams go through the playoff wringer today in various venues.

Holding twice-to-beat advantages after emerging on top of their respective zones are Mandaluyong, Antipolo and Caloocan, while San Juan, Taytay and Valenzuela need a victory each to arrange do-or-die matches.

Mandaluyong clashes with San Juan at 6 p.m. at the Mandaluyong City Gym for the Central Zone berth; Antipolo takes on Taytay at 6 p.m. at Robinson’s Homes in Antipolo for the West Zone slot; Caloocan meets Valenzuela for the North Zone spot.

Mandaluyong wrapped up furious action in the Inter-City, with games settled mostly by the slimmest of margins, game-winning shots or in overtime, with a 5-1 slate while San Juan wound up at 4-2.

Antipolo and Taytay closed with similar 4-2 slates, but the former took the No. 1 spot via the winner-over-the-other rule. Caloocan and Valenzuela were also locked at 3-3, with Caloocan getting the top spot via the same rule.

Five teams will battle in the two-round Inter-Zonals for the NCR title and the P250,000 top prize.

The South Zone remains a no-man’s land for four teams, with defending champion Muntinlupa (4-2) colliding with Las Piñas (3-3) at 4 p.m. today at the Muntinlupa Sports Complex, and Taguig (3-2) facing Pasay (4-1) at 6 p.m. at Ligid-Tipas Covered Court in Taguig.