Pampanga weathered San Juan’s final assault to prevail 86-82 in Game 1 of their MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) Fifth Season North Division Finals at the people-packed Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center.
The Knights threatened at 82-85 with 45 seconds to go but couldn’t score afterward, enabling the Giant Lanterns to stretch their home win-streak to 14 and move within a win of clinching their first division crown.
Baltazar again shone for Pampanga with 23 points, 20 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals, and so did JB Bahio with 14 points, 11 rebounds, and 4 blocks, earning best player honors.
Others who delivered for Pampanga, including Gov. Dennis Pineda (also the Giant Lanterns coach), were Archie Concepcion with 11 points, Encho Serrano with 10 points, 5 rebounds, and 6 assists, and Arwind Santos with 18 points, including two clutch triples.
San Juan got 20 points from Marwin Taywan, 14 from Orlan Wamar, 12 from Michael Calisaan, and 11 from Adrian Nocum.
With Baltazar scoring 13 points and grabbing 12 rebounds, Pampanga posted a 43-37 halftime lead.
Although San Juan scored the first basket, Pampanga bunched 13 points for the game’s biggest spread.
As Baltazar rested, Bahio took charge in the third quarter, and Pampanga stayed ahead, 61-58. Back-to-back triples by Concepcion and Santos pushed Pampanga to a 74-64 lead with 4:42 to go.
During a break in the fourth quarter, Pampanga Team Manager AJ Gonzalez and Pineda handed over the Giant Lanterns’ donation to Commissioner Kenneth Duremdes and Executive Director Joe Ramos.
Game 2 will be held at the FilOil Flying V Arena at 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, with the Giant Lanterns seeking the division crown. The South Division Finals start on Monday, with Batangas and Bacoor clashing at the Strike Gymnasium.
