The Pampanga Giant Lanterns are the early birds in their historic MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) Sixth Season National Finals with the Quezon Huskers in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
All players, led by reigning MPBL MVP Justine Baltazar, and some members of the Giant Lanterns’ coaching staff
left on Wednesday ahead of Game One of the best-of-five title series starting at 7 p.m. (11 p.m. in Manila) on Sunday, Dec. 1, at the Al Basr Club Rashid Bin Hamdan Indoor Hall.
For their convenience, they took an Emirates Airlines night flight from Clark International Airport in Angeles City and Mabalacat Pampanga, to the Dubai International Airport, where they will land early Thursday (Dubai time).
The bulk of the Giant Lanterns management, including head coach Gov. Dennis Pineda, and supporters led by local officials, are set to leave on Friday, followed by team owner AG Gonzales of AMG3 Construction and his family members on Saturday.
Team manager Ronald Nulud said Deputy House Speaker Cong. Dong Gonzales will join the 500-strong Pampanga delegation to the first Philippine basketball league championship series abroad if his schedule allows.
After retaining the North Division crown, the Giant Lanterns, also powered by Archie Concepcion, Encho Serrano and MJ Garcia, intend to become the MPBL’s first back-to-back champions.
According to Quezon team manager Atty. Dhon Kapunan, the Huskers are flying out on Friday.
Game Two is at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 3, at the same venue.
The series returns to the Philippines for Game Three on Dec. 7 at the Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center in San Fernando, Pampanga.
Promoter David John of DJMC Events has also scheduled an exhibition game on Monday, Dec. 2, featuring MPBL Founder and CEO Manny Pacquiao’s team against a Dubai selection headed by content creator and international influencer Kris Fade.
MPBL officials, led by Commissioner Kenneth Duremdes, will backstop Pacquiao, boxing’s only eight-division world champion.
Ticket prices start at 200 AED, around P3,200, for the MPBL’s return to Dubai after a successful invasion in 2019.
