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| San Juan will literally host Game 3 of the MPBL North Division Finals thanks to Thursday night's NCAA results. MPBL (file photo) |
MANILA—San Juan will have one home stand in the MPBL North Division Finals after all.
In a memorandum shared on Friday, the FilOil Centre in San Juan City is now available for the third showdown between the Knights and the Abra Weavers in the national semifinals on Saturday night.
Questions arose as to whether San Juan will get to host a game in the North finals, as the NCAA also booked the said arena on Saturday for possibly the rubber matches of the league's play-in games.
However, with Mapua repulsing Lyceum and Perpetual Help sending San Sebastian to the league's second winless season in the Final 4 era, the FilOil Centre will be available for Saturday night.
There was actually one fifth-seeded team that forced a rematch against a 4-seed, but it was in the juniors division when the Junior Pirates stunned the San Beda Red Cubs 68-67.
The NCAA decided to keep the rubber match between Lyceum and San Beda Rizal at a 12 p.m. tip-off, assuring that San Juan can reserve the FilOil Centre for its 6:30 p.m. encounter against Abra.
Now 2-0 up in the best-of-five series, the Weavers can complete the sweep on Saturday night.
Even if the Knights get one win back, though, Game 4 will be played on neutral ground as the FilOil Centre will host the first day of the NCAA quarterfinals.
An insider told Dugout Philippines that San Juan was looking to play Game 3 at the Ynares Center Montalban in Rodriguez, Rizal, and it could likely be the case if the team forces Game 4.
Meanwhile, Quezon will try to close out the South Division Finals against Biñan at the latter's home, the Alonte Sports Arena, later Friday.
Reclaiming home-court advantage after an 81-67 Game 3 win, the Huskers can instead shut out the Tatak Gel on the road and book the first seat in the national finals.
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