Pasig, Caloocan slug it out in KO tiff

MANILA, Philippines — It’s win or go home for Pasig City MCW Sports as it locks horns with host Caloocan in the deciding Game 3 of their 2023 Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) North Division quarterfinals face-off today at the Caloocan City Sports Complex.

Tip-off is at 8 p.m. with the fourth-seeded Tropang Pasig looking to complete an upset of the No. 5 Batang Kankaloo for a seat in the semifinals against top-ranked Pampanga.

Pasig forced the decider after bouncing back from a 71-69 heartbreaker in the opener with a 65-61 triumph in Game 2.

Odds remain stacked against the team of illustrious executive Buddy Encarnado, but coach Boyet Fernandez and his troops are ready to march on.

“I’d like to thank the boys for the win in Game 2. Hopefully, we’ll get another win in the next game but that’s not going to be easy work for us,” said Fernandez, who’s looking to weave his magic in the MPBL after his successes in the NCAA, PBA D-League and PBA.

Coming from a 23-point job in the must-win Game 2, Robbie Manalang is tipped to once again spearhead Pasig’s stand against Caloocan bannered by a bevy of ex-PBA stalwarts in Gabby Espinas, Mac Baracael, Paul Sanga, Reil Cervantes and Ronnie Matias.

Three squads have booked seats in the North Division Final Four led by reigning champion Nueva Ecija.

The Rice Vanguards swept No. 7 Pasay while No. 6 San Juan completed a 2-0 series win over No. 3 Makati. Top-seed Pampanga also made short work of No. 8 Marikina.