MALOLOS—Muntinlupa gave Bataan a free ride to the quarterfinal round after the Angelis Resort-backed Cagers subdued the Imus Bandera-GLC Truck and Equipment, 81-69, Saturday and completed the final eight cast in the MPBL-Anta Rajah Cup at the Bulacan Capitol Gymnasium here.

The Cagers’ win, their sixth in nine games to forge a three-way tie with the Bulacan Kuyas-Ligo Sardines and the Valenzuela Classic-Yulz, made the main game between the Kuyas and the Bataan Defenders-BaiShipping a non-bearing contest.

Bulacan outlasted Bataan, 81-74, to claim the second spot, owing to its superior quotient over Muntinlupa and Valenzuela. The Defenders, on the other hand, advanced to the next round after ending their elims with a 2-7 mark, tied with the Bandera, who were eliminated due to the win over the other rule. The Defenders won over the Bandera in the elimination round.

For the Kuyas, winning their fifth consecutive game is a good momentum builder heading to the playoffs.

“The boys are so determined to go to the playoffs with a win and take the No.2 spot,” said Baluyot. “We just want to keep our winning culture and we want to bring it to the playoffs.”

The Kuyas will face the Parañaque Patriots-Gamboa Coffee in the best-of-three quarterfinal round where they carry a home court advantage.