Pampanga targets 2-0 lead over Quezon in Dubai Finals
THE Pampanga Giant Lanterns seek a repeat over the Quezon Huskers in Game Two of the MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) Sixth Season National Finals starting at 7 p.m. (11 p.m. in Manila) at the Al Nasr Sports Club Rashid Bin Hamdan Indoor Hall.
Fielding a taller, stronger roster, North Division and reigning national champion Pampanga handily won Game One, 88-71, on Sunday as it asserted its superiority over South Division titlist Quezon.
Reigning MVP Justine Baltazar will again banner the Giant Lanterns’ bid to become the league’s first back-to-back winner.
Baltazar, good for 24 points, 16 rebounds, 7 assists and 2 steals in the series opener, will be supported by MPBL All-Star Archie Concepcion, MJ Garcia, Brandon Ramirez and Kurt Reyson, who’ll be playing longer following the one-game suspension slapped on Encho Serrano for hitting Quezon star LJay Gonzales with an elbow to the jaw.
Dedicating the game to his beloved father who recently passed away, Ramirez contributed 11 points and 11 rebounds and promised another solid performance.
Gonzales has been cleared for Game Two and will spearhead the Huskers’ attempt to level the best-of-five series marking a milestone in local basketball being the first championship games played on foreign soil.
Backing up Gonzales are Judel Fuentes, Ximone Sandagon, Jason Opiso, Mon Abundo and Rodel Gravera, the surprise top scorer for the Huskers in Game One with 20, built on five triples.
Still hurting, former MPBL MVP Gab Banal will again missed Game Two, compounding Coach Eric Gonzales’ firepower woes.
Game Three will be held on Dec. 7 at the Bren Z. Guiao Sports Complex in San Fernando, Pampanga.
If necessary, Game Four will be Dec. 10 at the Quezon Convention Center in Lucena City. Game Five will return to San Fernando if the series goes the full route.
.Already enjoying the backing of Kapampangans in the United Arab Emirates, the Giant Lanterns have brought in hundreds of fans and supporters from local government units as Pampanga Coach Gov. Dennis Pineda is determined to turn the Hamdan Indoor Hall into the Giant Lanterns’ homecourt.
