Powerhouse Pampanga trounced Valenzuela, 103-80, on Friday, Feb. 23, and joined South Cotabato in the semifinal round of the 2024 MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) Preseason Invitationals at the Lagao Gym in General Santos City.
The Giant Lanterns cruised to their second straight win in Group A, while the South Cotabato Warriors drubbed the Bataan Risers, 88-75, for their third win in a row and a sweep of the Group B elimination round.
Guest team GenSan Bulalakaw stunned Quezon City TODA Aksyon, 83-80, in the nightcap of the eight-team tournament being held in conjunction with GenSan’s Kalinangan Festival.
With prized acquisition Jeff Viernes at the helm, the Giant Lanterns led by as far as 101-76 and showed their readiness to defend their MPBL national title.
Viernes scored 22 points and 3 assists, complementing the 16-point, 11-rebound effort of reigning MVP Justine Baltazar and the 11-point, 5-rebound output of Mat De Leon.
Other Giant Lanterns who contributed were Kevin Santos with 8 points and 10 rebounds, veteran recruit Jhaymo Eguilos with 8 points and 9 rebounds, and Miguel Corteza with 8 points.
Valenzuela, which fell to a 1-1 slate, got 18 points from Dennis Santos, 14 from Alexander Mohammad and 10 from Jameson Hiro.
The South Cotabato Warriors, formerly the GenSan Warriors, were powered by Jammer Jamito, John Wilson, Kyle Tolentino, Enzo Joson, Christian Fajarito and Marwin Dionisio.
Jamito tallied 21 points, 7 rebounds and 3 blocks, Wilson posted 15 points and 4 rebounds, Tolentino contributed 12 points, Josen 11 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists, Fjarito 10 points and 9 rebounds, and Dionisio 10 points plus 5 assists.
Manila, which tumbled to its third straight defeat, got 29 points and 9 rebounds from Shawn Umali, 17 points, 4 rebounds and 4 steals from Kobe Monji, and 10 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists from Peter Rosillo.
Bulalaw drew 31 points, 11 rebounds and 3 blocks from Victor Nguidjol, 24 points and 13 rebounds from Don Diamante, 10 points and 8 rebounds from Aljon Cupal, and 8 points and 9 rebounds from MPBL Founder and CEO Manny Pacquiao.
The elimination round continues on Saturday with Valenzuela battling Quezon City at 4 p.m., Batangas tackling Bataan at 6 p.m., and Pampanga clashing with Bulalakaw at 8 p.m.
