Pampanga cruised to its 14th straight win, while San Juan sustained its climb in the OKBet-MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) on Tuesday at the FilOil Flying V Centre in San Juan.
Leaning on prized acquisition Encho Serrano and towering Justine Baltazar, the Pampanga Giant Lanterns posted a wire-to-wire 93-80 victory over the Rizal XentroMall Golden Coolers to keep the top spot in the single-robin elimination phase of the 29-team tournament.
Serrano posted 23 points, 7 assists and 5 rebounds, while the 6-foot-8 Baltazar showed his versatility with 11 points, 15 rebounds, 4 assists, 4 blocks and 2 steals.
Archie Concepcion supported them with 13 points, 4 assists and 4 rebounds, followed by Jayson Castro Apolonio with 12 points and 9 rebounds and another newcomer, John Lloyd Clemente with 9 points.
Showing balanced firepower, the San Juan Knights subdued the Imus SV Squad, 93-82, in the nightcap to post their fourth straight triumph and climb to 11-3, while Valenzuela XUR Homes Realty Inc. bested Bicol, 82-78.
Adrian Clarence Nocum, a mainstay of Mapua University, tallied 15 points to lead six other Knights in twin digits.
Orlan Wamar notched 12 points, 7 assists plus 4 rebounds; Michael Calisaan 11 points and 6 rebounds; Taywan 11 points with 3 triples; and Paolo Javillonar, Egie Boy Mojica and Nikko Panganiban with 10 points each for San Juan Coach Randy Alcantara.
