Defending champion Pampanga held off Nueva Ecija’s final push to clinch Game One, 76-73, in their North Division semifinal series in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League Sixth Season at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
Led by Justine Baltazar, the Pampanga Giant Lanterns pulled ahead, 63-53, early in the fourth quarter.
However, the Rice Vanguards, spurred by John Wilson and JB Bahio, rallied to tie the game for the fifth and final time at 67 with Bahio’s second free throw at the 5:15 mark.
The Giant Lanterns responded with an eight-point run, highlighted by an Encho Serrano three-pointer, while limiting Nueva Ecija to just a basket from Rob Celiz, giving Pampanga a 75-69 lead with three minutes remaining.
Showing his MVP form, Baltazar finished with 15 points, 26 rebounds, three blocks, and two steals, earning Daily Fantasy Best Player honors.
Serrano also contributed significantly with 19 points, including a crucial free throw with nine seconds left, and grabbed five rebounds.
Other standout performances for Pampanga included Kurt Reyson with 11 points and three rebounds, MJ Garcia with 10 points and six assists, and Brandon Ramirez who added 10 points and four rebounds.
The Rice Vanguards, who led 33-26 in the second quarter, were paced by Celiz’s 21 points, nine rebounds, and four assists, with Wilson adding 15 points, three rebounds, and three assists, and Will McAloney chipping in nine points and five rebounds.
Using their height advantage, the Giant Lanterns dominated inside, outscoring Nueva Ecija 50-26 in the paint.
Pampanga will look to sweep the best-of-three series on Wednesday, Oct. 30, at the Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center in San Fernando, Pampanga.
The MPBL playoffs continue on Monday, Oct. 28, with the South Division semifinal matchups at the Quezon Convention Center, where Batangas faces South Cotabato at 6 p.m., followed by Parañaque against Quezon Province at 8 p.m.
