SUBIC BAY FREEPORT ZONE – The Makati Super Crunch and the Basilan Steel arrived here Monday, completing the teams contending for the MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) Chooks-to-Go Lakan Season division championships and the national title.
Already in the SBMA bubble since Friday are the San Juan Knights and the Davao Occidental Tigers.
After undergoing antigen tests and a brief rest, the Steel and Super Crunch alternately worked out at the gym and pool inside the quarantine hotel early evening.
They were eager to catch up with the Knights and the Tigers who have familiarized themselves with the floor condition and ring bounce of the Subic Bay Gym which will be closed to the pubilc on Wednesday for the deciding game 3 of both the North and South division finals.
Davao Occidental and Basilan will dispute the South title first, followed by the Makati-San Juan showdown for the North crown. The time slots are still being worked out bu A2Zon Tuesday.
The division winners will figure in a best-of-five series for the national title starting on March 12. Game 2 is on March 14 while Game 3 is on March 16. If necessary, Game 4 will be held on March 18 and Game 5 on March 20.
Also in the bubble are MPBL officials led by Commissioner Kenneth Duremdes and Deputy Commissioner Zaldy Realubit.
According to Makati Coach Beaujing Acot, the Super Crunch players and officials are happy for the opportunity to complete the Lakan Season, which got sidetracked on March 11, 2020, because of the Luzon-wide lockdown imposed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We’re doing this not only for our team’s glory but also for the MPBL. The 4 teams are here just to show that we are one. That we are united despite the adversities we encountered,” said Acot, who will be pitted against San Juan mentor Randy Alcantara.