Laguna topped Imus, 94-92, last Saturday to enter the playoffs on the winning note in the National Basketball League Season 2 at the Hagonoy Sports Complex in Taguig City.
Shin Manacsa had 14 points for the Pistons as they finished the elimination round with a 10-4 win-loss record. The Pistons are in a tie with the Taguig Generals at third place in the team standings and in line for an outright quarterfinal spot.
The top two teams at the end of the eliminations advance to the semifinals automatically, while the third and fourth placers will get a twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinals. The fifth to eighth placers will play in a knockout match for a spot in the quarterfinals.
In the second game, Quezon City stunned Taguig, 82-80, to snap a four-game losing streak.
Enzo Battad had 20 points and six rebounds, while Christian Diaz converted the go-ahead lay-up with one second left in the match to pull off a stunning upset over the Generals.
The stage is now set for the final weekend of the eliminations in Botolan, Zambales with Zamboanga taking on Iriga City, and Pampanga facing Zambales on August 24, and Dasmarinas battling Quezon City, and Imus going up against Zambales on August 25.
The final four spots in the playoffs are still to be contested with Zambales at fifth with an 8-4 record and CamSur at sixth with a 9-5 record. Iriga City, Dasmarinas, and Imus, meanwhile, are in a tie for the seventh spot with an 8-5 card heading into the crucial weekend playdate.
Standings: Paranaque 11-3, Pampanga 10-4, Laguna 10-4, Taguig 10-4, Zambales 8-4, CamSur 9-5, Iriga City 8-5, Dasmarinas 8-5, Imus 8-5, Quezon City 5-8, Bulacan 4-10, Zamboanga 3-10, Nueva Ecija 3-11, Pasig 2-12, Cainta 2-12.
