MPBL: MJ Garcia plays perfect basketball to lead Pampanga past Bicolandia in Balti Baltazar's return

MJ Garcia just couldn't miss in Binan. MPBL

By Ivan Saldajeno

BINAN--Balti Baltazar finally made his MPBL season debut for Pampanga, but MJ Garcia put on a show to lead the team to a 128-93 blowout win against Bicolandia on Friday night at the Alonte Sports Arena.

Garcia was perfect the entire game, making all of his 11 field goals to lead the Giant Lanterns to their third straight win after a shock season-opening loss to the Rizal Golden Coolers.

Garcia finished with 26 points alongside six rebounds, one assist, and two steals, while Encho Serrano added 16 points on 7-of-10 shooting, two rebounds, and six assists for Pampanga.

Kurt Reyson put up 15 points on 6-of-10 field goals, three rebounds, four steals, and 10 of Pampanga's 46 total assists as the team's second unit, including Baltazar, displayed brilliant ball movement.

Baltazar, the reigning MPBL MVP, had a quiet eight points in his season debut but he too had seven rebounds, six assists, and one steal.

Shaq Alanes had 19 points on 5-of-8 shooting from long range for Bicolandia, which remained winless at 0-5.

Box Scores:

PAMPANGA 128 - Garcia 26, Serrano 16, Reyson 15, Eguilos 13, Corteza 11, Baltazar 8, Viernes 8, Conception 7, Binuya 7, Gozum 6, Liwag 6, R.Santos 3, Gob 2, K.Santos 0, Alcoriza 0.

BICOL 93 - Alanes 19, Javier 15, Deles 14, Lee 14, Yu 9, Rojas 8, Santos 5, Casajeros 3, Reyes 2, Burgos 2, Lao 2, Go 0, Llarena 0, Gallego 0, Macaballug 0.

Quarterscores: - 25-20, 59-39, 91-64, 128-93

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