MAKATI, Pasig and Pasay hurdled their rivals last Tuesday and revved up their playoff drive in the OKBet-MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) Fifth Season at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay.
The Makati OKBet Kings subdued the Rizal XentroMall Golden Coolers 81-7 and kept their distance from Pasig MCW Sports, which bested Iloilo 75-63 and the Pasay Voyagers, who trounced the Bulacan Kuyas 84-58.
With 18 wins against 7 losses, Makati has the inside track to finish within the top four of the North division.
Pasig is right behind with an 18-8 record, while Pasay has a chance with a 15-9 mark.
The top four teams of the North and South divisions will have the homecourt edge in the best-of-three quarterfinals.
Bunching 12 points behind Rob Celiz and Billy Robles, Makati pulled away at 70-53 to oust Rizal, which fell to 11-14.
Celiz wound up with 27 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 blocks, followed by Robles with 11 points and 13 rebounds for Makati, which will be facing Pasay, Batangas and Imus in its remaining elimination games.
Rizal got 16 points each from Jeric James Pido and Edgar Louie Charcos and 12 from Troy Mallillin.
Pasig drew power from Robbie Manalang with 18 points plus 7 assists, Ryan Paule Costelo with 15 points plus 4 rebounds, Kenny Roger Rocacurva with 12 points, 10 rebounds plus 5 assists, and Rey Anthony Peralta with 11 points.
Despite falling to 11-15 can still advance to the South division playoffs if it wins its last assignments against Rizal and Pasay, which drew 13 points from AJ Coronel and 12 points from Laurenz Paul Victoria.
