THE FIBA World Cup 2023 is over.

The 19th Hangzhou Asian Games, where the Philippines captured the gold medal in men’s basketball for the first time in 61 years, is over.

The UAAP and the NCAA are now underway. The PBA and the NAASCU will come off the wraps soon.

But as you all know, basketball never stops.

For now, all basketball roads lead to the MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) which is entering its most interesting part: the playoffs.

So here’s what to expect and where to watch the remaining 16 teams still in the hunt for MPBL’s most coveted trophy.

Northern Division

No. 1. Pampanga vs. No. 8 Marikina

With top star Justine Baltazar and two-time UAAP MVP and PBA legend Arwind Santos leading the way, Pampanga is a very good team in the North even against upset-conscious No. 8 Marikina.

Add Archie Concepcion and Encho Serrano to the mix and the Giant Lanterns should be favored to make quick work of the Shoemasters as they prepare for the tougher grind ahead.

The Giant Lanterns finished with the best record of 26-2 in the 29-team field and that included an 84-75 victory over the Shoemasters in the eliminations.

No. 2 Nueva Ecija vs. No. 7 Pasay

Although they finished only second among Norhern Division teams, the Rice Vanguards of businessman-sportsman Bong Cuevas and coach Jerson Cabiltes are expected to go into “Beast Mode” once the playoffs begin.

The Rice Vanguards, who bagged their first MPBL championship after winning the 2022 MPBL Finals against Zamboanga Family’ s Brand Sardines, 3-1, last December, enter the playoffs locked and loaded from all positions.

Nueva Ecija is still the team to beat and the Rice Vanguards should be favored whether playing at home where they are treated as demigods or at enemy territory.

Expect Chris Bitoon, Pamboy Raymundo, Jonathan Uyloan, Michael Mabulac, Jay-R Taganas, Renz Palma and John Byron Villarias to take their game to a new level against the No. 8 seed Voyagers and the rest of the challengers in the North.

No 3 Makati vs. No. 6 San Juan

San Juan finished only No. 6 in the North, but the Knights of coach Randy Alcantara and MPBL 3-point king Orlando Wamar, Nikko Panganiban and Adrian Nocum should be able to hold their ground against No. 3 Makati Kings and its top stars Robbie Celiz, Keith Agovida and Gabriel Dagangon.

No. 4 Caloocan vs. No. 5 Pasig

The battle between the No. 4 and No. 5 teams in the North should be the most exciting of the four quarterfinal matches.

Former NCAA Rookie-MVP Gabby Espinas, Reil Cervantes and Jeramer Cabanang of Caloocan versus Robbie Manalang, Kenny Rocacurva and Ryan Paule Costelo of Pasig should be entertaining — with odds about even.

Focus, however, will be on the coaching side with Boyet Fernandez of Pasig enjoying tremendous advantage over Robert Sison of Caloocan.

Southern Division

No. 1 Bacoor vs. No. 8 Iloilo

Complacency will be Bacoor’s biggest concern in its quarterfinal battle against Iloilo.

Manpower-wise, the Strikers of team manager Dennis Abella enjoy tremendous advantage over the United Royals.

James Kwekuteye, Jhan Nermal, Yvan Ludovice and Chito Jaime have what it takes to lead Bacoor deep into the playoffs.

But Iloilo, led by Enzo Navarro, Joshua Flores and Shaquille Imperial, can make things interesting.

No. 2 Batangas vs. No. 7 Imus

Batangas, led by the trio of Jong Baloria, Levi Hernandez and Jeckster Apinan, is also favored over No. 7 Imus and its star players Carlo Lastimosa. Junjie Hallare and Nino Canaleta.

No. 3 GenSan vs. No. 6 Muntinlupa

Handled by coach Rich Alvarez.and bannered by Jervy Cruz, John Wilson and Nico Elorde, GenSan is expected to use its firepower against their lower-ranked quarterfinal opponent to gain easy passage to the next round.

No. 4 Zamboanga vs. No. 5 Quezon

Being the defending South division champion and last year’s losing finalist, Zamboanga is favored over league newcomer Quezon in their own quarterfinal series.

Led by reigning MVP Jaycee Marcelino and Judel Fuentes, the Zamboanguenos should get the job done against the Huskers and advance to the semis against either the Strikers or United Royals,

With the men finally separated from the boys, the semifinals promises to be fun and a lot more exciting than these quarterfinals

But that will be an entirely different story.

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