PAMPANGA sprinted as San Juan sputtered in the homestretch, pushing the Giant Lanterns past the Knights, 81-73, and to their second straight North Division crown in the MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) Sixth Season on Monday at the overcrowded Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center in San Fernando, Pampanga.
Unleashing a strong finishing kick, the Giant Lanterns held the Knights to two points while scoring 12, including the last six, to cut short the best-of-three series, 2-0, and stay on course of becoming the MPBL’s first back-to-back national titlist.
The Giant Lanterns will be facing the winner of the South Division Finals between the Batangas City Tanduay Rum Masters and the Quezon Huskers.
As a bonus, the Giant Lanterns are already assured of a trip to Dubai, UAE, where the first two games of the MPBL National Finals will be held on Dec. 1 and Dec. 3.
Showing why he’s the reigning MVP, Pampanga’s Justine Baltazar posted 24 points, 18 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steals to earn the Daily Fantasy best player honors.
Other Giant Lanterns who delivered for Pampanga Coach Gov. Dennis Pineda were Archie Concepcion with 19 points and 3 rebounds, Encho Serrano with 11 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steals, Kurt Reyson with 8 points, all in the first quarter, and Brandon Ramirez with 7 points, capped by the game’s final four, 9 rebounds and 3 steals.
With Baltazar and Ramirez patrolling the paint, the Giant Lanterns ruled the boards, 53-41, resulting in more second-chance points, 30-14.
San Juan Coach Sen. Jinggoy Estrada got 30 points and 5 assists from Orlan Wamar but got little support with Nikko Panganiban chalking 10 points and 4 assists, Michael Malonzo 7 points, 8 rebounds and 3 assists and Agem Miranda 7 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals.
MPBL Commissioner Kenneth Duremdes awarded the championship trophy to Pineda and the Giant Lanterns, who duplicated their sweep of the Knights in last year’s North Finals.
Hundreds of fans who could not go inside settled for watching the game at the giant LED screen beside the jampacked venue.
The Giant Lanterns bunched 10 points to seize control at 60-57 before the third quarter ended at 60-59.
It was the 15th straight playoff victory by the Giant Lanterns since 2023 and their 13 straight win at home.
Baltazar said they wanted to end the series at their homecourt to rest longer for the best-of-five National Finals.
Powered by Wamar, San Juan surged ahead, 19-10, before Pampanga rallied, 20-21, behind Baltazar after the first quarter.
Wamar fired 14 points in that span, surpassing his 12-point output in Game One also won by Pampanga, 91-84, on Nov. 8 at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
Arvin Gamboa made 2 of 3 free throws with 0.8 seconds left to give San Juan a 39-32 lead at halftime.
The MPBL Playoffs continue with Game Two of the South Division Finals between the Batangas City Tanduay Rum Masters and the Quezon Huskers at 7 p.m. at the Batangas City Coliseum.
Batangas prevailed in Game One, 75-69, and needs only a repeat to clinch the division crown.
