MPBL

Giant Lanterns shine in San Juan

July 31, 2024 People's Tonight 242 views

PAMPANGA and San Juan posted contrasting wins and kept their lofty spots in the MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) Sixth Season at the FilOil Ecooil Centre in San Juan.

The defending champion Pampanga Giant Lanterns weathered Zamboanga Master Sardines’ final assault to prevail, 82-79, and extend their hot streak to 19 after an initial loss in the round-robin elimination phase of the 29-team tournament.

The San Juan Knights, on the other hand, trounced the Davao Occidental Tigers, 87-65, to rise to 16-1, tying the idle Quezon Huskers.

Powered by Michael Malonzo, a prized recruit from the National University Bulldogs, the Knights led by as far as 43-14 and never wavered to pull down the Tigers to 13-6.

Malonzo fired 21 points and grabbed 4 rebounds to earn best player honors over teammates Michael Calisaan (13 points, 6 rebounds, 2 steals), Arvin Gamboa (13 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists) and Nikko Panganiban (12 points).

Davao, with only Keith Agovida and Mark Tallo posting double figures with 13 and 10 points, respectively, dropped to 13-6.

Pampanga saw Zamboanga threaten at 77-79 behind Jaycee Marcelino, but Jhaymo Eguilos scored the Giant Lanterns’ last five points to quell the uprising.

Reigning MVP Justine Baltazar shone for the Giant Lanterns anew with 24 points, 12 rebounds and 7 assists.

Archie Concepcion provided support with 15 points plus 3 assists and so did Kurt Reyson with 10 points and 4 rebounds.

The Giant Lanterns ruled the boards, 46-33, and converted this edge to outscore the smaller Zamboanguenos inside the paint, 46-22.

Zamboanga, which skidded to 15-4, had a chance to forge overtime, but Jul-Ashri Ignacio missed the potential triple equalizer before the buzzer.

Marcelino wound up with 24 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists and 2 steals, followed by Adrian Santos with 11 plus 7 rebounds.

Rizal XentroMall whipped Sarangani, 80-69, in the opener to climb to 11-9.

Alwyn Alday paced the Golden Coolers with 21 points, 6 rebounds and 3 assists, followed by John Apacible with 12 points, 16 rebounds and 3 assists, Kraniel Villoria with 12 points plus 7 rebounds, Marco Balagtas with 11 points, 10 rebounds plus 4 assists, and Bambam Gamalinda with 10 points and 5 rebounds.

Sarangani, which slid to 4-15, got 16 points and 7 rebounds from Larce Christian Sunga, 14 points, 5 rebounds and 2 steals from Jeymark Mallari, 11 points plus 3 rebounds from Ryan Isaac Sual, and 10 points, 12 rebounds plus 2 blocks from Coy Alves.

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