What started out like a five-team race in the Rio Hondo League has now trimmed to three: Temple City (16-2-1, 6-1), Monrovia (13-3, 6-1) and San Marino (15-6, 5-3).

It’s unlikely that South Pasadena (7-13, 1-6) and La Canada (8-11, 0-7) will make up enough ground to contend for one of the three playoff spots with about five games remaining in league. What the Tigers and Spartans can do, however, is play the role of spoilers. All five teams entered league with at least a three-game winning streak, giving the impression that every game in league would be quite the showdown, and that has been the case despite sub .500 records from the Tigers and Spartans, who have made it tough for the rest to stay in the hunt for a league title. So to say this league still belongs to the Monrovias and Temple Citys would be somewhat farfetch.

“I hesitate to say that and I wouldn’t say it because we survied the other day at La Canada,” Temple City coach Barry Bacon said. “(Anthony) Mizrahi pitched super well, and they’re one error away from not giving up the winning run.”

Nevertheless, the way it stands this week proves to be a big week, particularly for Monrovia which hosts Temple City today at 3:30 and then visits San Marino on Friday. The Titans are off today, so there’s a good chance San Marino coach Mack Paciorek will attend today’s big game. Temple City on Friday visits South Pasadena.