Defending champion Nueva Ecija and top qualifier Pampanga tackle separate rivals on Friday, Oct. 27, at the start of the MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) Fifth Season North division semifinal round at the Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center in San Fernando, Pampanga.

The Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards battle the dangerous San Juan Knights at 6 p.m., while the Pampanga Giant Lanterns tangle with the unpredictable Caloocan Batang Kankaloo at 8 p.m.

Owing to their deeper and stronger rosters, Nueva Ecija and Pampanga have been tagged the favorites to repeat over their elimination round victims and take the headstart in the best-of-three semifinal series.

Pampanga subdued Caloocan, 76-68, on May 15 while Nueva Ecija nipped San Juan, 99-97, on Sept. 21.

Spearheaded by MVP race pacesetter Justine Baltazar, the Giant Lanterns have won 12 straight at home and swept the Marikina Shoemasters, 2-0, in their quarterfinal series to gain a 13-day respite since Oct. 13.

In contrast, Caloocan needed to scrape past Pasig, 68-60, on Oct. 20 to clinch their own series, 2-1.

Baltazar will be supported by Encho Serrano, Archie Concepcion, MJ Garcia, Jayson Castro Apolonio, Louie Sangalang, JB Bahio and veteran Arwind Santos in Pampanga's bid to reach the division finals for the first time under Gov. Dennis Pineda, who serves as the Giant Lanterns' head coach.

Caloocan will be leaning on Jeramer Cabanag, Gabe Espinas, Reil Cervantes, Paul Sanga, Mac Baracael, Irven Palencia, Ronnie Mathias and Joco Tayongtong.

San Juan will be trying to avenge its 1-2 loss to Nueva Ecija in the 2022 North Division finals.

It will be a tough task, however, as the Rice Vanguards of Coach Jerson Cabiltes have retained the core of last year's champion team--Will McAloey, Michael Mabulac, Bryon Villarias, Michael Juico, Chris Bitoon, Pamboy Raymundo, Jay Collado, Jonathan Uyloan--apart from acquiring promising stars Sherwin Concepcion and Orin Catacutan.