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| Pampanga clinched the first seat in the MPBL National Finals. Jun Lumbo |
SAN JUAN, Metro Manila—Pampanga silenced much of the jam-packed FilOil EcoOil Centre on Tuesday night as the team went on a fourth-quarter rampage to stun San Juan, 82-76, in Game 2 of the MPBL North Division Finals.
Down by as much as 19 points in the first half, the Giant Lanterns crawled their way back to the game and outscored the Knights, 25-6, in the final period to steal the win and eventually clinch the North pennant.
Encho Serrano soared in the fourth, scoring 11 of his 16 points to spearhead Pampanga's comeback.
MJ Garcia also tallied 16 markers, while Balti Baltazar added 14 points, 19 rebounds, seven assists, one block, and two steals as the team now awaits the winner of the South finals between Bacoor City and Batangas City in the national finals.
The Strikers can force a titular showdown against the Giant Lanterns if they beat the Embassy Chill in their own Game 2 on Friday night at the Batangas City Sports Coliseum.
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