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| Justine Baltazar shines for the Pampanga Giant Lanterns. MPBL |
SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga--The Pampanga Giant Lanterns shone at home on Monday, besting the San Juan Knights, 81-73, and retaining the North Division crown of the MPBL Sixth Season at the jampacked Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center.
Surviving a tough challenge from the Knights, the Giant Lanterns scored the last eight points to cut short the best-of-three series, 2-0, and stay on course of becoming the MPBL's first back-to-back national titlist.
The Giant Lanterns will be facing the winner of the South Division Finals between the Batangas City Tanduay Rum Masters and the Quezon Huskers.
Game Two of the South Division Finals is on Tuesday at 7 p.m. at the Batangas City Coliseum.
Batangas prevailed in Game One, 75-69, and needs only a repeat to clinch the division crown.
As a bonus, the Giant Lanterns are already assured of a trip to Dubai, UAE, where the first two games of the MPBL National Finals will be held on Dec. 1 and Dec. 3.
Showing why he's the reigning MVP, Pampanga's Justine Baltazar posted 24 points, 18 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals to earn the Daily Fantasy best player honors.
Other Giant Lanterns who delivered for Pampanga Coach Gov. Dennis Pineda were Archie Concepcion with 19 points and 3 rebounds, Encho Serrano with 11 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals, and Brandon Ramirez with 7 points, 9 rebounds, and 3 steals.
San Juan got 30 points and 5 assists from Orlan Wamar but only Nikko Panganiban provided support with 10 points and 4 assists.
MPBL Commissioner Kenneth Duremdes awarded the championship trophy to Pineda and the Giant Lanterns, who duplicated their sweep of the Knights last year.
The Giant Lanterns bunched 10 points to seize control at 60-57 before the third quarter ended at 60-59.
It was the 15th straight playoff victory by the Giant Lanterns since 2023.
The Giant Lanterns extended their win streak at home to 13.
Powered by Wamar, San Juan surged ahead, 19-10, before Pampanga rallied, 20-21, behind Baltazar after the first quarter.
Wamar fired 14 points in that span, surpassing his 12-point output in Game One.
Arvin Gamboa made 2 of 3 free throws with 0.8 seconds left to give San Juan a 39-32 lead at halftime.
Hundreds of fans who were unable to go inside settled for watching the game on the giant LED screen beside the packed venue.
Pampanga took Game One, 91-84, on Nov. 8 at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
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