THE Pampanga Giant Lanterns banked on Archie Concepcion and Encho Serrano to thwart the Marikina Shoemasters, 82-70, on Friday and move within a win of advancing to the semifinal round of the MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) Fifth Season at the Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center in San Fernando, Pampanga.

Concepcion poured 8 points and Serrano added 6 against a lone basket by RV Berjay as Pampanga pulled away from a tight 58-57 count in the fourth quarter of their best-of-three North division quarterfinal series opener.

With main man Justin Baltazar hounded by pesky Marikina defenders, Concepcion, Serrano and MJ Garcia took over the scoring load for the favored Giant Lanterns, who also beat the Shoemasters in the eliminations (84-75) where they wound up with the best record (26-2) in the 29-team field.

Concepcion tallied 26 points, 5 assists, 4 rebounds and 1 steal to earn best player honors, followed by Garcia with 13 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, plus 2 steals, and Serrano with 12 points, 10 in the fourth quarter, 3 rebounds, 3 assists and 1 steal.

The 6-foot-9 Baltazar was again dominant underneath with 21 rebounds but missed his usual double-double with just 9 points. He, however, issued 7 assists for Pampanga Governor Dennis Pineda, who also acts as the Giant Lanterns head coach.

Pampanga fielded local icon Arwind Santo for the first time and the two-time UAAP MVP and PBA great responded with 4 points, 6 rebounds and 1 block in 13 minutes and 27 minutes of play.

According to Pineda, he would want the Giant Lanterns to dispose of the Shoemasters in Game 2 on Oct. 13 so they could take a short break from the rigors of the round-robin elimination round.

Pineda said they’re taking it one game at a time, especially because they are still on the adjustment stage with the insertion of Santos in the active roster.

He expects Santos to be more of a role player and impart his knowledge and experience to his younger teammates.

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