QUEZON Province took the solo lead while Pampanga extended its hot streak in the MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) Sixth Season on Saturday at the Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center in San Fernando, Pampanga.

The Quezon Huskers went full throttle in the fourth quarter to beat the Negros Muscovados, 73-62, for their ninth straight win that pushed them ahead of the Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards and the San Juan Knights, both with 8-0 cards.

The Pampanga Giant Lanterns clobbered the Sarangani Marlins,109-68, in the nightcap to tally victory No. 9 after an initial loss in the round-robin elimination phase of the 29-team tournament.

Reigning MVP Justine Baltazar posted a triple-double (10 points, 13 rebounds, 11 assists) plus 2 steals and 2 blocks in an 18-minute, 54-second stint for the Giant Lanterns, who led by as far as 103-59 and showed their readiness to defend the MPBL national title.

Other Giant Lanterns who shone were Lervin Flores with 14 points and 20 rebounds; Jeff Viernes with 14 points, spiced by four triples, 5 rebounds, 5 assists and steals; Archie Concepcion with 13 points, 3 rebounds and 3 assists; Mat De Leon with 12 points and 3 rebounds; Encho Serrano with 11 points and 5 assists; and Rence Alcoriza with 11 points.

Flaunting their depth, all the 15 players fielded in by Pampanga coach Gov. Dennis Pineda scored in pulling down the Marlins to 3-8 despite the 22-point output of Ryan Isaac Sual.

Unlike the Giant Lanterns, the Quezon Huskers were held to a 56-52 lead after three quarters before LJ Gonzales, Jason Opiso and Rodel Gravera found their mark.

Gravera, a 6-foot-5 homegrown given ample time following the season-ending ACL injury sustained by Will Gozum, paced Quezon with 18 points and 12 rebounds.

Opiso ended up with 14 points and 10 rebounds, while Gonzales finished with 6 points, 8 assists and 5 rebounds for the Huskers.

Caloocan trounced undermanned Mindoro, 90-76, in the opener to get back on track with a 6-2 record.

Derailed by Zamboanga, 65-72, on May 28, the Batang Kankaloo bunched 12 points on two triples by Paul Sanga, two jumpers by Gabby Espinas and a layup by Antonio Bonsubre to pull away for good, 74-49.

Espinas paced Caloocan with 17 points and 5 rebounds, followed by Reil Cervantes with 11 points plus 6 rebounds, and Ronnie Matias and Damian Lasco with 8 points each.

The Tamaraws, who missed the services of Top Gun Ken Bono, Andres Desiderio and Art Patrick Aquino, fell to 4-6 despite the 19 points, 8 rebounds and 3 assists of Jordan Rios.

The MPBL returns to the Orion Sports Center on Monday, June 3, with games pitting Bicol against Muntinlupa at 4 p.m., Abra against Bacolod at 6 p.m. and Zamboanga against Bataan at 8 p.m.

The scores:

First game

Caloocan (90) — Espinas 17, Cervantes 11, Matias 8, Lasco 8, Casin 7, Cabanag 6, Sanga 6, Inigo 5, Tayongtong 5, Calahat 4, Lee Yu 4, Palencia 3, Sumoda 2, Bonsubre 2, Baracael 2.
Mindoro (76) — Rios 19, Vaygan 9, Caspe 8, Teodoro 8, Estrella 7, Reyes 6, Pableo 6, Olivares 5, Lopez 5, Huerto 3, Ariar 0, Aquino 0, Desiderio 0, Bono 0, Pena 0.
Quarterscores: 24-15, 49-31, 74-52, 90-76

Second game

Quezon (73) — Gravera 18, Opiso 14, Gonzales 6, X.Torres 6, Matillano 5, Abundo 5, Banal 5, Sandagon 4, Canon 4, Rono 3, Bunag 2, T.Torres 1, Salonga 0, Lagrama 0.
Negros (62) – Cani 19, Comia 12, Geolingo 11, Atabay 10, Palma 6, Una 2, Cruz 2, Antiporda 0, Longa 0, Bacay 0, Alcaide 0, Ramos 0, Pascual 0, Capobres 0.
Quarterscores: 18-18, 38-28, 56-52, 73-62.