MANILA - The pairings for the quarterfinals of the Chooks-to-Go Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) Invitational have been formalized following the conclusion of the elimination round on Monday night at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay. Pasig, Nueva Ecija, and Basilan swept their respective groups, while Imus scored a huge win on the final day of the group stages and got some help from an also-ran squad to also seal one of the top seeds in the knockout stages. Bandera opened the day with a 90-79 rout of the Rizal Crusaders in the lone morning action. Jhaymo Eguilos led Imus, which gradually pulled away from Rizal in the middle two quarters, with 18 points, eight rebounds, and two assists off the bench. Adi Santos added 17 markers, 10 boards, one dime, and one block. In the next game, Bulacan played a spoiler role and eliminated Manila with a 98-89 shocker. James Martinez erupted for 31 points on 7-of-11 shooting alongside six rebounds and eight assists off the bench to lead the