Pampanga asserted its dominance over Quezon with a 79-60 victory on Tuesday night (early Wednesday morning, Manila time) in Game 2 of the Mahalika Pilipinas Basketball League Sixth Season National Finals at the Al Nasr Sports Club’s Rashid Bin Hamdan Indoor Hall in Dubai.
North Division champion Pampanga, which also dominated Game 1 with an 88-71 win, is now just one victory away from sweeping South Division champion Quezon and becoming the league’s first back-to-back national titlist.
Kurt Reyson led the Giant Lanterns’ offense with 20 points, including six triples, along with seven assists, five rebounds, and two steals, earning Daily Fantasy’s best player honors.
Justine Baltazar delivered another MVP-caliber performance, posting 13 points, 19 rebounds, six assists, four steals, and three blocks.
Raymond Binuya added 12 points, including three triples, four assists, and two rebounds.
The Giant Lanterns will attempt to clinch the series in Game 3 on December 7 at the Bren Z. Guiao Sports Center in San Fernando, Pampanga.
When asked if Pampanga would close out the best-of-five series in Game 3, Pampanga coach Gov. Dennis Pineda humbly replied, “Sana (hopefully),” previously noting that a sweep at home would be a welcome outcome.
Other standout performances for Pampanga came from Jhaymo Eguilos, who contributed 10 points and nine rebounds; Archie Concepcion, who posted eight points, four rebounds, two assists, and one block; and Brandon Ramirez, who chipped in six points and seven rebounds.
Back-to-back triples by Reyson and Rence Alcoriza gave Pampanga its largest lead of the game, 63-40, with 1:58 remaining in the third quarter.
A couple of free throws from Binuya extended the gap to 65-42 early in the fourth quarter.
However, Quezon responded with a 11-0 run sparked by an inside move from Ximone Sandagon, four free throws by Al Francis Tamsi, and a drive and three-pointer from Judel Fuentes to narrow the score to 53-65 with 6:10 remaining.
Pampanga, though, maintained its composure and sealed the win with a one-handed dunk by Baltazar and a layup by MJ Garcia.
Quezon struggled with their shooting, making only 21 of 74 field goal attempts, including just 7 of 38 from beyond the arc.
Quezon coach Eric Gonzales received solid performances from Judel Fuentes, who tallied 12 points, eight rebounds, and three steals; Al Francis Tamsi, who contributed 11 points, two rebounds, and two steals; and Rodel Gravera, who finished with 9 points, 11 rebounds, and two assists.
MPBL Founder and CEO Manny Pacquiao, pleased with the warm response from the Filipino community in the United Arab Emirates, hinted that the league may return next year.
The event was also attended by Philippine Ambassador to the UAE Alfonso Ver, MPBL Commissioner Kenneth Duremdes, and Executive Officer Joe Ramos.
