Strikers claim MPBL South top seeding

MANILA, Philippines — Bacoor City is locked and loaded to strike against any opposition just the way it performed on the way to claiming No. 1 seed in South Division of the 2023 Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) playoffs.

The Strikers formalized top spot in the South with a 93-65 demolition of also-ran 1Bataan Risers on Tuesday night at the Marikina Sports Center, getting a much-needed morale boost going to the post-elims play.

With a 23-5 showing in the elims, Bacoor is to enjoy homecourt advantage all the way in the division playoffs starting with a best-of-three quarterfinals duel against the No. 8 Iloilo United Royals at the Strike Gym this weekend.

Ten players hit at least six points in a balanced attack led by Mark Angelo Montuano with 12 points and four rebounds in only 13 minutes of play.

JM Nermal (12) and Alwyn Alday (10) also produced twin figures as Jimboy Pasturan (9), James Kwekuteye (9), Kraniel Villoria (8), Chito Jaime (7), Rocky Acidre (7), Jammer Jamito (6) and Aaron Jeruta (6) contributed for the wards of coach Alex Angeles.

The Strikers’ No. 1 finish is a big improvement from a seventh-place windup in the South Division last season.

“Pinaghirapan natin na makuha ang No. 1 dahil gusto naming hindi lang ma-experience ng team kundi ma-experience ng Bacooreños ang laro sa atin. Mas maraming laro sa Bacoor, mas mapapasaya natin ang mga Bacooreño,” said team manager Dennis Abella.