SAN FERNANDO, PAMPANGA — Levi Hernandez took over in the endgame, carrying Pampanga to an 88-83 win over La Union in the NBL Season 3 Black Arrow Express Presidents Cup Game One Finals, Wednesday evening at the Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center.
Entering the final frame down 58-59, the 6-foot-1 Hernandez gained the hot hand firing 17 points. By the end of his barrage, the Delta were already up 81-69 with 3:41 left.
Dexter Maiquez then fired six straight points to give Pampanga a game-high 14-point lead, 88-74.
Hernandez ended the contest with 24 points and six rebounds. Meanwhile, Maiquez added 20 points and 12 boards.
Michael Juico, another late addition, scattered 14 points, five rebounds, and five assists.
Behind Ervin Silverie — who had himself a game — the PAOwer led by as much as eight points, 54-46, late in the third canto.
Silverie, who averaged just 9.5 points in the regular season, tallied a game-high 29 points and six assists.
Jayson Apolonio had 21 markers, while Jonathan Ablao had 14. Scottie Fontanilla was limited to just four points.
Game Two will take place in the same venue on Saturday.
The Scores:
Pampanga 88 – Hernandez 24, Maiquez 20, Juico 14, Baltazar 12, Binuya 6, Enriquez 5, Gania 2, Manaloto 2, Llangco 2, Santos 1, Tamayo 0, Fabian 0.
La Union 83 – Silverie 29, Apolonio 21, Ablao 14, Doliente 7, Francisco 4, Fontanilla 4, Caasi 2, Maynes 2, Gatchalian 0, Blaza 0, Graycochea 0, Pascua 0.
Quarterscores: 22-13, 37-29, 58-59, 88-83.
