Bulacan-Ligo Sardines notched a fifth straight win Saturday night, while Muntinlupa-Angelis Resort overwhelmed Imus-GLC Truck, 81-69, to push Bataan-Baishipping to the quarterfinal round of the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL)-Anta Rajah Cup at Bulacan Capitol Gymnasium in Malolos.
After winning just one of their first four games, the Kuyas closed out the elimination round with a flourish by pummeling the Defenders, 81-74, for a 6-3 card like the Cagers and the Valenzuela-Classic Yulz.
But Bulacan claimed the second seed owing to a superior quotient, with Muntinlupa and Valenzuela nailing the third and fourth seeds.
The Cagers’ win over the Bandera ousted Imus from the tournament with a 2-7 slate. Bataan also finished with a 2-7 record, but claimed the No. 8 seed due to its victory over Imus in the elimination round.
Bataan faces a daunting task of pulling off an upset against Batangas-Tanduay which hosts Game 1 on Tuesday.