Defending champion Nueva Ecija and top qualifier Pampanga tackle separate rivals at the start of the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League Fifth Season North division semifinal round on Friday 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 head start in the best-of-three semifinal series.

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

Spearheaded by Most Valuable Player 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 13 October.

In contrast, Caloocan needed to scrape past Pasig, 68-60, on 20 October 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.