DUBAI – The Pampanga Giant Lanterns flaunted their strength with a breezy 88-71 victory over the Quezon Huskers in Game One of their MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) Sixth Season National Finals that ended at 8 p.m. Sunday (2 a.m. in Manila) at the Al Nasr Club’s Rashid Bin Hamdan Indoor Hall here.
Powered by Justine Baltazar, Archie Concepcion and Brandon Ramirez, North Division champion Pampanga allowed South Division titlist Quezon to score first before seizing control at 3-2 and keeping the rein till the end.
Baltazar, on track to retain the MPBL MVP, posted 24 points, 16 rebounds, 7 assists and 2 steals while Concepcion tallied 17 points, 3 rebounds, 1 steal and 1 assist.
The stocky but springy Ramirez notched 11 points, 11 rebounds, 1 steal and 1 assist and was given the Daily Fantasy best player honors.
Other Giant Lanterns who shone for Pampanga head coach Gov. Dennis Pineda were Rence Alcoriza with 9 points and 3 rebounds, Kurt Reyson with 8 points, 6 assists, 3 rebounds and 1 assist, and MJ Garcia with 5 points, 8 assists, 3 rebounds and 1 block.
Their combined efforts more than compensated for the early departure of gunner Encho Serrano, who got ejected after catching Huskers star LJay Gonzales with an elbow to the jaw at the 8 minute and 28 seconds mark of the second quarter and Pampanga ahead, 29-20.
Homegrown Rodel Gravera was the lone bright spot for Quezon, chalking 20 points, including five triples, 3 rebounds, 2 assists and 1 steal in just 16 minutes and 33 seconds of play.
Judel Fuentes, made just three of 16 attempts and settled for 8 points with 6 rebounds, 3 assists and 1 steal, while Al Francis Tamsi ended up with 8 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists for Quezon coach Eric Gonzales.
Game Two of the best-of-five series will be held on Tuesday, Dec. 3, with the Giant Lanterns, backed up by hundreds of Kapampangans, again favored to prevail.
The Finals will resume with Game Three on Dec. 7 at the Bren Z. Guiao Sports Center in San Fernando, Pampnga.
