The Pampanga Giant Lanterns completed a perfect run to a back-to-back championship with a 65-61 victory over the Quezon Huskers in the MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) Sixth Season National Finals late Saturday at the Bren Z. Guiao Sports Center in San Fernando, Pampanga.
Justine Baltazar, showing why he deserves a second straight MVP award, powered the Giant Lanterns to their third straight victory in the shortened best-of-five title series of the 29-team tournament.
Exploiting his 6-foot-8 frame, Baltazar posted 19 points, 19 rebounds, 2 assists and 1 block as Pampanga became the first MPBL team to reign for two straight years.
Archie Concepcion and Encho Serrano supported Baltazar with 19 and 15 points, respectively.
Concepcion, who scored the insurance charity with 10.9 seconds left added 5 rebounds while Serrano atoned for his Game One ejection and Game Two suspension with 6 rebounds, 3 assists and 1 steal.
Unlike the first two games in Dubai which they dominated, 88-71, and 79-60, respectively, the Giant Lanterns experienced six deadlocks and trailed the Huskers for 5 minutes and 17 seconds this time.
Pampanga Gov. Dennis Pineda also marked a milestone, becoming the MPBL’s first back-to-back champion coach.
Quezon got 21 points from Judel Fuentes and 18 points from LJay Gonzales, but their efforts fell short as Al Francis Tamsi could only contribute 8 points.
Jhaymo Eguilos helped Baltazar underneath with 15 rebounds, enabling the Giant Lanterns to rule the boards again, 53-46.
The scores:
Pampanga 65–Baltazar 19, Concepcion 19, Serrano 15, Eguilos 5, Binuya 4, Viernes 2, Ramirez 1, W. Baltazar 0, Garcia 0, Reyson 0, Alcoriza 0, Gozum 0, Santos 0, De Leon 0, Flores 0.
Quezon 61–Fuentes 21, Gonzales 19, Tamsi 8, Minerva 4, Abundo 4, Opiso 3, Sandagon 2, Bunag 1, Placino 0, Matillano 0, Alcala 0, Marasigan 0, Gravera 0, Lagrama 0, Ibanez 0.
Quarters: 12-8, 30-27, 46-47, 65-61.
