Pampanga faced some resistance but ultimately secured a 65-61 victory over Quezon on Saturday, sweeping the series to become the first back-to-back champion in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League at the Bren Z. Guiao Sports Center in San Fernando, Pampanga.
Justine Baltazar, showing why he’s deserving of a second consecutive MVP award, powered the Giant Lanterns to their third straight win in the shortened best-of-five title series of the 29-team league’s 6th season.
Utilizing his 6-foot-8 frame to full advantage, Baltazar finished with 19 points, 19 rebounds, two assists, and a block in 36 minutes and five seconds of play.
Mythical Team member Archie Concepcion and Encho Serrano provided strong support, scoring 19 and 15 points, respectively.
Concepcion, who sank the crucial free throw with 10.9 seconds left, also grabbed five rebounds.
Serrano redeemed himself with six rebounds, three assists, and an steal after earlier struggles.
Unlike the first two games, where they dominated, the Giant Lanterns encountered six deadlocks and trailed the Huskers for five minutes and 17 seconds.
Pampanga Governor Dennis Pineda also made history by becoming the MPBL’s first back-to-back champion coach.
“Lumipat po man ako ng ibang liga, hindi ko makakalimutan ang MPBL sa experience na nakuha ko dito,” Pineda said after the game.
Judel Fuentes led Quezon with 21 points and L-Jay Gonzales with 18 points, but their efforts were not enough, as Al Francis Tamsi contributed only eight points.
The Giant Lanterns dominated the boards again, 53-46, with Jhaymo Eguilos helping Baltazar with 15 rebounds.
Pampanga built a solid lead when Concepcion hit two three-pointers and a layup, and Eguilos followed up on a jumper by Quezon’s Mon Abundo, pushing the Giant Lanterns’ lead to its largest of the game, 30-21.
However, the Huskers fought back, scoring four unanswered points to close the half at 30-25.
Pampanga had previously dominated Game 1, 88-71, and Game 2, 79-60, in Dubai, marking the first time in Philippine basketball history that championship games were held abroad.
