Pampanga-Pradera Theme Park forged a title clash with Farm Fresh-Letran in the 2023 Manila Bankers Life-Pilipinas Super League 18-Under Battle of the Champions after eliminating Max Ballers with an emphatic 87-72 victory on Thursday at Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center in San Fernando, Pampanga.
The Delta ended their nationals campaign with a 3-1 record ˗ 16-1 overall ˗ to take the other slot in the best-of-three finale which begins on Friday.
It was a dominant outing for Pampanga-Pradera, a team raring to get back from a 92-87 loss to Farm Fresh-Letran last Wednesday after a furious third quarter that saw them turn a 52-45 halftime lead into a 76-55 cushion heading into the last 10 minutes of the game.
Incoming De La Salle University freshman Rhyle Melencio led the way for the Delta with 20 points and 11 rebounds while Veejay Pre bullied his way to a line of 17 points and 18 rebounds.
Meanwhile, Farm Fresh-Letran will enter the final stage with a clean 4-0 slate after a convincing 100-79 win over Cagayan de Oro Higalas.
With Andy Gemao sitting out the contest, Jhaslie De Leon shone brightly, dropping 26 points on 11-of-19 shooting from the field.
Daniel Padilla and Jovel Baliling chipped in 16 and 11 points, respectively.
