Stars, Skyscrapers set up semis matchup

MANILA, Philippines — Manila-Frontrow and Makati-Super Crunch disposed of their counterparts to set a North Division semifinals faceoff in the 2019-2020 Chooks-to-Go/MPBL Lakan Season Saturday at the Malolos Sports Convention Center. 

The second-seeded Stars escaped past No. 7 Pasig-Sta. Lucia, 82-80, while the third-ranked Skyscrapers turned back No. 6 Bulacan to complete a 2-0 sweep in their quarterfinal matchups. 

Manila and Makati advanced to the North Division Final Four, clashing in similar best-of-three affair. The other bracket has reigning champion and top-seed San Juan clashing with No. 4 Pampanga-ADG Group of Companies. 

Ex-pro Carlo Lastimosa racked up 21 points to lead Manila’s attack while Chris Bitoon pumped in 19 markers, seven rebounds and six assists, including the insurance freebies in the dying seconds. 

“We just stayed composed. We did not panic amidst Bulacan’s late game run,” said Manila coach Tino Pinat as they nearly squandered an eight-point lead in the last minute. 

Later on, Makati shrugged off the loss of its homecourt advantage and still took care of business versus Bulacan in the Malolos venue.

MPBL technical committee head George Magsino ruled Makati’s home gym at the Guadalupe Viejo Gym as unsafe.