Top seed Manila and Valenzuela try to arrange a title showdown in the North Division of the 2018 Metro League Open basketball championship at the San Andres Sports Complex in Malate.
Manila, which clinched the top seed, was battling No. 4 Caloocan at presstime while Valenzuela, the No. 2 seed, was taking on No. 4 Quezon City.
Both Manila and Valenzuela were enjoying twice-to-beat advantages by virtue of their 1-2 finish.
Actually, the four teams finished with similar 7-2 records in the tournament organized by the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and supported by the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA).
Manila, however, clinched top seed with +15, followed by Valenzuela with -1, Quezon City with -4 and Caloocan with -10.
In the South, Taguig survived a last-ditch rally by Parañaque, 84-78, to advance to the finals.
The Generals relied on Jerry Lumongsod (23 points), Richard Albo (12 points, eight rebounds), and Nico Alcantara (10), Richmond Gilbero (10) and Lery Mayo (10) to slam the door on the Green Berets
Alfonso Rodriguez led the Green Berets with 17 points and 11 rebounds, followed by Gwayne Capacio with 14 points and Cris Vincent Dalaten with 14 points.
But Taguig will have to wait for its championship opponent as Pareros pulled of a thrilling 66-62 win over Solid San Juan -Big Chill in the other semifinal to force a rubber match.
Rickson Gerero finished with 15 points, eight rebounds and four assists for Pateros.
Ariel Capus contributed eight points and eight rebounds, Jio Lopez had eight points and four rebounds and Eric Mabazza also added eight points and four assists.