THE Pampanga Giant Lanterns’ drive to sweep the San Juan Knights in Game Two of their MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) Sixth Season North Division Finals at the Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center is anchored on two streaks.

First, defending champion Pampanga has enjoyed a 14-game run in the MPBL Playoffs since 2023, when it also blanked San Juan, 2-0, in the North Finals.

Second, Pampanga has gone unbeaten for 12 games at the perennially jampacked San Fernando City venue this year.

Banking on their four aces led by reigning MVP Justine Baltazar and also composed of Encho Serrano, Archie Concepcion and MJ Garcia, the Giant Lanterns dominated the Knights, 91-84, in Game One of the best-of-three series.

Despite with a bloodied nose in the second half, Baltazar posted 14 points, 21 rebounds and 7 steals; Serrano 22 points, 4 rebounds and 6 assists; Concepcion 18 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists and 1 steal; and Garcia 13 pints, 5 rebounds and 3 assists.

They were supported by Renz Alcoriza with 9 points, and Brandon Ramirez and Lervin Flores who also pounded the boards for a pivotal 52-41 edge.

Pampanga Coach Gov. Dennis Pineda expects the Knights, the 2019 MPBL titlists, to play highly physical in order to offset their height disadvantage and force a deciding Game 3.

For San Juan to do that, Coach Senator Jinggoy Estrada must draw better performances from go-to-guy Orlan Wamar, Nikko Panganiban, Agem Miranda, Michael Calisaan, Dexter Maiquez, Zach Huang, Reynel Hugnatan and Michael Malonzo.

The Knights must also shoot better at the charity stripe where they only made 10 of 21 attempts in Game One.

Meanwhile, Batangas ruled the boards and subdued Quezon Province, 75-69, on Saturday in Game One of the South Division Finals at the Lucena City Convention Center.

With CJ Isit scoring and Dawn Ochea and John Ambulodto hustling underneath, the Batangas City Tanduay Rum Masters outrebounded the Quezon Huskers, 48-34, and translated the edge to more second-chance points, 27-18, and more points inside, 28-20, that proved to be the difference in the tight game.

Isit posted 17 points, 7 rebounds, 4 steals and 3 assists to earn the Daily Fantasy best player honors.

Ochea came through with a game-high 11 rebounds plus 7 points, while Ambulodto bunched 6 points in the fourth quarter and snagged 6 rebounds.

Other Rum Masters who delivered for Coach Cholo Villanueva were Juneric Baloria with 13 points, including the insurance drive with 51 seconds left, and Levi Hernandez with 11 points and 3 rebounds.

Quezon got 15 points and 5 rebounds from Mon Abundo, 11 points and 6 rebounds from Ximone Sandagon and 10 points, 5 rebounds and 3 assists from LJ Gonzales. .

Top Gun Judel Fuentes was held to 9 points, including a triple that gave the Huskers some hope, 69-72, with 1 minute and 12 seconds to go.

Isit poured in 11 points in the first half, followed by Cedrick Ablaza and Mark Cruz with 6 each.

Homegrown icon Topeng Lagrama, inserted back into the fray with 17 seconds left, drove in, got fouled and canned both charities to knot the count at 36 at halftime.

Abundo contributed 10 points, including two triples, while Lagrama chipped in 8, including two triples, for Quezon at halftime.

It was the MPBL’s first game at the packed venue with a seating capacity of over 4,000.

Hundreds of fans who couldn’t be accommodated had to content themselves watching the game at a giant LED screen near the gym.

Game Two of the best-of-three final series will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 12, at the Batangas City Coliseum.

AUTHOR PROFILE

People's Tonight