Pampanga edges Quezon to win historic back-to-back MPBL titles

Justine Baltazar towers over defenders and powers Pampanga to its second straight MPBL national title. MPBL

By Dugout Philippines

SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga—The Pampanga Giant Lanterns met some opposition but still won, 65-61, on Saturday to sweep the Quezon Huskers and become the first back-to-back champion of the MPBL at the Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center.

Justine Baltazar showing why he's deserving of a second straight MVP, powered the Giant Lanterns to their third straight victory in the shortened best-of-five title series of the 29-team league's sixth season.

Putting his 6-foot-8 frame to good use, Baltazar posted 19 points, 19 rebounds, 2 assists and 1 block in 36 minutes and 5 seconds of play.

Mythical Team member Archie Concepcion and Encho Serrano supported Baltazar with 19 and 15 points, respectively.

Concepcion, who scored the insurance charity with 10.9 seconds left added 5 rebounds while Serrano atoned for his earlier shortcomings with 6 rebounds, 3 assists and 1 steal.

Unlike the first two games which they dominated, the Giant Lanterns experienced six deadlocks this time and trailed the Huskers for 5 minutes and 17 seconds.

Pampanga Gov. Dennis Pineda also marked a milestone, becoming the MPBL's first back-to-back champion coach.

Quezon got 21 points from Judel Fuentes and 18 points from LJay Gonzales, but their efforts fell short as Al Francis Tamsi could only contribute 8 points.

With Jhaymo Eguilos helping Baltazar underneath with 15 rebounds, the Giant Lanterns ruled the boards again, 53-46.

With Concepcion pumping in two triples and a drive and Eguilos adding a follow-up against a jumper by Quezon's Mon Abundo, Pampanga posted the game's biggest lead, 30-21.

The Huskers, however, clustered four points for a 30-25 halftime count.

The Giant Lanterns handily won Game One, 88-71, and Game Two, 79-60, in Dubai, marking the first time in Philippine basketball that championship games were held on foreign soil. 

The scores:

Pampanga 65--Baltazar 19, Concepcion 19, Serrano 15, Eguilos 5, Binuya 4, Viernes 2, Ramirez 1, W. Baltazar 0, Garcia 0, Reyson 0, Alcoriza 0, Gozum 0, Santos 0, De Leon 0, Flores 0.

Quezon 61--Fuentes 21, Gonzales 19, Tamsi 8, Minerva 4, Abundo 4, Opiso 3, Sandagon 2, Bunag 1, Placino 0, Matillano 0, Alcala 0, Marasigan 0, Gravera 0, Lagrama 0, Ibanez 0.

Quarters: 12-8, 30-27, 46-47, 65-61.

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