Laguna handed La Union its first loss, 107-98, in the final day of the elimination round of the National Basketball League (NBL) Season 3 Black Arrow Express-President’s Cup at the University of Baguio Gym.
Shin Manacsa had 25 points to lead the Pistons to the victory to cap the eliminations with a 3-3 card in Group B, sealing the fifth-seed in the next round.
Romel Doliente had 15 points but the Paower suffered their first defeat to end with a 5-1 record. La Union though took the first spot in Group B and will hold a twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinals.
The Pistons will face Group A fourth-seed Cavite Ballers on March 8 in a crossover playoff round, with the Ballers holding a twice-to-beat advantage.
In other games, Edgie Jejillos had 24 points on 5 of 11 shooting from threes as the Nueva Ecija Besprens defeated the Zamboanga Valientes, 96-55, to seal the fourth-seed in Group B.
Nueva Ecija will face Group A fifth-seed Quezon City Defenders on March 8 with the Besprens owning a twice-to-beat incentive.
Jonathan Del Rosario had 16 points including four triples as the CamSur Express sealed the number one spot in Group A with an 87-84 win over the Taguig Generals.
CamSur and Taguig are tied at 5-1 in Group A but the Express will get the top rank in Group A for the quarterfinal round.
