The Ilagan Isabela Cowboys and the Bataan Risers dispute the eighth and last playoff berth in the North Division of the Manny Pacquiao Presents MPBL 2025 Season at 6 p.m. Wednesday at The Capital Arena in Ilagan City.
Although the Cowboys have the home court edge, the Risers are no pushovers as they won their last three games in the round-robin elimination phase and battered the Pasiguenos, 99-78, in their play-in tussle.
The Cowboys, on the other hand, lost to the Pangasinan Heatwaves, 98-91, in another play-in game.
Whoever wins will face the Abra Solid North Weavers, the No. 1 qualifier, in the best-of-three quarterfinal playoffs.
The Cowboys bested the Risers, 69-67, in the elimination round.
Key players for the Cowboys are Arth dela Cruz, Agem Miranda, Mark Dyke, Allen Mina, Philip Manalang, Macoy Marcos and JR Olegario.
The Risers will be powered by Yves Sazon, Dom Vera, Huber Cani, Chris Javier, Lorenz Capulong, Rhinwill Yambing and Mitchelle Maynes.
Other North playoff qualifiers are No. 2 Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards, No. 3 San Juan Knights, No. 4 Caloocan Batang Kankaloo, No. 5 Pampanga Giant Lanterns, No. 6 Pasay Voyagers, and No. 7 Pangasinan Heatwaves.
The South Division playoff qualifiers are No. 1 Quezon, No. 2 Batangas, No. 3 Rizal, No. 4 Basilan, No. 5 Gensan, No. 6 Binan, No. 7 Zamboanga, and No. 7 Mindoro, which advanced after a 92-89 tripping of Cebu in Pola, Oriental Mindoro, last October 6.