Manila Stars secure North fourth spot

MANILA, Philippines — Manila SV Batang Sampaloc pulled away after three quarters and never wavered to beat Zamboanga Master Sardines, 86-78, in the MPBL Sixth Season elimination round at the Olivarez College Gym in Parañaque.

Powered by Joshua Torralba, the Manila Stars surged ahead, 70-56, then quashed the Zamboangueños uprising entering the fourth quarter to tally their 19th victory against eight losses and secure the fourth playoff slot in the North Division of the 29-team tournament.

Zamboanga, on the other hand, wound up with a 20-8 card and tumbled from second to fourth spot in the South Division behind Batangas and Biñan, which also finished the round-robin elimination phase at 20-8.

In the tiebreaker, Batangas emerged with the best points difference, followed by Biñan, and Zamboanga. Quezon Province (21-6) is assured as the South’s top seed.

Like top North qualifiers San Juan (26-2), Pampanga (26-2) and Nueva Ecija (24-4), Manila will have the homecourt edge in the best-of-three playoffs against No. 5 qualifier Caloocan (18-9) starting on Oct. 5.

The Manila Stars drew 23 points and five rebounds from Torralba, who clinched the Daily Fantasy best player honors.