By Ivan Stewart Saldajeno/PNA
MANILA — Four teams from Metro Manila will square off in another province as the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League returns to play on Thursday night with its first offering for calendar year 2019.
Pasig will battle Quezon City, while Muntinlupa will take on Pasay in the scheduled doubleheader at the Alonte Sports Arena in Biñan City, Laguna.
Initially scheduled as a home game for the Cagers, their showdown against the Voyagers plus the preceding match-up between the Pirates and the Capitals will now be played at the lair of the Laguna Heroes due to the unavailability of the Muntinlupa Sports Center.
In the first game at 7 p.m., red-hot QC (6-8) looks to extend its winning streak to four as it goes up against Pasig (2-14), which has sunk deeper at the bottom of the Northern Division standings through a five-game losing skid and now needs a win to salvage its season.
In the main game at 9 p.m., designated host Muntinlupa (10-5) looks to start the year right following some struggles that came its way since naming Aldin Ayo as head coach.
On the other hand, Pasay (6-12) aims at maintaining its bid for a spot in the playoffs as it is just a game and a half behind a tie for eighth place between Navotas and Mandaluyong.
