San Juan and Caloocan trounced their respective opponents on Tuesday to arrange a semifinal showdown in the MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) 2026 Season North Division playoffs at the Caloocan Sports Complex.
The Batang Kankaloo downed the Ilagan Isabela Cowboys, 83-72, while the Knights held off a late rally by the Bataan Risers, 82-77.
Prized acquisition Kean Baclaan scored six points and set up Kymani Ladi for a two-handed slam as Caloocan pulled away, 73-57, en route to its second consecutive victory over Ilagan Isabela to clinch the best-of-three quarterfinal series.
Baclaan, the former standout guard of the De La Salle Green Archers, finished with 17 points, including nine in the fourth quarter, three rebounds, and three assists to earn Player of the Game honors. Chris Bitoon also scored 17 points, alongside five assists and three steals, while Ladi contributed 15 points, 11 rebounds, three assists, two steals, and two blocks, highlighted by a pair of two-handed slams.
Caloocan, which also won the series opener, 81-76, received 11 points and five rebounds from Jeff Manday and another 11 points and three rebounds from Dom Escobar.
The Cowboys, meanwhile, relied on a nine-man rotation, with Allen Mina and Donald Gumaru scoring 14 points apiece. Barkley Ebona added 11 points, while Arth Dela Cruz and MJ Ayaay chipped in 10 each.
In the other quarterfinal matchup, Bataan threatened to force a tight finish after trimming San Juan’s lead to 64-60 behind eight unanswered points, including four free throws and back-to-back fastbreak baskets, with four minutes and 30 seconds remaining.
Knights head coach Alex Angeles responded by deploying a small-ball lineup without a center during the final three minutes and 28 seconds.
The adjustment paid off as San Juan answered with a decisive run to preserve its lead and secure the victory, completing a second straight win over Bataan to advance to the North Division semifinals.
Orlan Wamar paced the Knights with 16 points, including four three-pointers, five assists, four rebounds, and three steals. Harold Alarcon added 10 points, eight rebounds, and eight assists, while James Kwekuteye chipped in 12 points and four rebounds.
Patrick Sleat also contributed five points, eight rebounds, and six assists for San Juan, which is seeking to reclaim the MPBL national championship it won in 2019.
The Knights struggled from beyond the arc, converting just eight of 29 attempts for a 27.6 percent clip. Bataan fared even worse, making only one of its 22 three-point attempts for a dismal 4.5 percent conversion rate.
Migs Corteza and Alfred Flores led the Risers with 13 points apiece. Corteza added six rebounds, while Flores recorded five rebounds and five assists. Robbi Darang chipped in 10 points, four assists, and two rebounds.
San Juan once again proved its dominance over Bataan, having beaten the Risers, 97-81, during the elimination round before claiming a 94-84 victory in the series opener on October 5.
The South Division playoffs continue Wednesday, with Zamboanga SiKat taking on reigning division champion Quezon Province at 5 p.m., followed by Batangas City against Cebu at 7 p.m.
The Quezon Huskers and Cebu Greats are both aiming to complete 2-0 sweeps of their respective quarterfinal series and secure semifinal berths.
