ANTIPOLO CITY – Basilan is officially in, Iloilo is virtually in, and Caloocan is desperately trying to sneak in.
This is the Chooks-to-Go MPBL Lakan Season playoffs situation after Monday’s elimination round games at Ynares Center here.
Flaunting their firepower in the fourth quarter, the Basilan Steel routed the Rizal Xentro Mall Golden Coolers, 103-85, for their fourth straight victory and an 18-10 record that tightened their hold of third spot in the South division.
The Iloilo United Royals needed to fend off Binan City Luxxe White Krah, 67-64, to climb to joint fifth in the South with a 17-11 slate.
Trailing by nine points with less than five minutes left, the Caloocan Supremos held the Muntinlupa Cagers scoreless the rest of the way while coming through with 10 points, eight by Paul Sanga, to pull off a 63-62 squeaker and injected life to their dying playoffs bid in the North division.
With Sanga making only 1 of 14 attempts, the Supremos lagged behind at 52-63. Sanga, however, found his bearing when needed most, drilling in two triples and two charities in the final assault that raised their card to 15-13, just behind the eighth-ranked Pasay Voyagers (15-12) in the chase for the eight playoff berths.
Sanga finished with 15 points and 5 rebounds, followed by Cedric Labing-isa with 14 points, 9 rebounds plus 7 assists; and John Carlos Escalambre with 12 points.
Held to a 67-70 count after the third quarter, the Steel relied on Allyn Bulanadi to preside over an 18-4 run that sealed the outcome, 88-71, midway of the final period.
Bulanadi tallied 25 points and 5 rebounds for the Jumbo Plastics-backed Steel, who are now gunning for a top four slot, according to head coach Jerson Cablites.
The top four finishers after the single round-robin eliminations will enjoy the homecourt edge in the 8-team playoffs of both divisions.
Other major contributors for Basilan were Gabriel Dagangon with 17 points plus 5 rebounds, Hesed Gabo with a double-double 12 points, 11 rebounds, and Bobby Balucanag with 12 points.
