The Pampanga Giant Lanterns try to stay aglow at home when they tangle with the San Juan Knights at 7 p.m. on Saturday in Game 1 of the MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) Fifth Season North Division Finals in San Fernando City.
Flaunting a young, towering and talented roster and enjoying the all-out support of the hometown crowd, the Giant Lanterns are unbeaten in 13 games at the Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center, where they have yet to tackle the Knights.
In their elimination round encounter on Sept. 30, Pampanga trouned San Juan, 89-73, at the Quezon Convention Center in Lucena City.
That result, however, isn’t reflective of their best-of-three series would turn out as a lot of key players were absent for both teams then.
Justine Baltazar, the MVP race pacesetter, did not play while veteran Arwind Santos has yet to suit up for Pampanga then.
San Juan, on the other hand, missed the services of starters Orlan Wamar, Adrian Nocum and Michael Calisaan and the reliable Marwin Taywan.
The Giant Lanterns, being coached by Pampanga Gov. Dennis Pineda, enjoy the edge in manpower and firepower with Encho Serrano, Archie Concepcion, MJ Garcia, Jayson Castro Apolonio, Neil Tolentino and John Lloyd Clemente ready to explode anytime.
In addition, the Giant Lanterns have nine players standing 6-foot-4 or over, led by the 6-8 Baltazar and the talented JB Bahio, Louie Sangalang and Allen Liwag.
San Juan Coach Randy Alcantara will be banking on Calisaan, Wamar, Nocum, Taywan and Nikko Pangilinan.