Pampanga triumphed at home on Monday, defeating San Juan, 81-73, to retain the North Division crown in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) Sixth Season on Monday.
The game, played at the packed Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center in San Fernando, Pampanga, saw the Giant Lanterns overcome a tough challenge from the Knights, scoring the final eight points of the game to seal a 2-0 sweep in the best-of-three series.
With the win, Pampanga stays on track to become the MPBL’s first back-to-back national champion.
The Giant Lanterns will face the winner of the South Division Finals between the Batangas City Tanduay Rum Masters and the Quezon Huskers.
As a bonus, Pampanga is already assured of a trip to Dubai, UAE, where the first two games of the MPBL National Finals will be held on December one and three.
Reigning MVP Justine Baltazar delivered another stellar performance, finishing with 24 points, 18 rebounds, four assists, and two steals, earning the Daily Fantasy Best Player honors.
Other key contributors for Pampanga included Archie Concepcion with 19 points and three rebounds, Encho Serrano with 11 points, four rebounds, four assists, and two steals, and Brandon Ramirez with seven points, nine rebounds, and three steals.
San Juan’s Orlan Wamar led his team with 30 points and five assists, but the Knights lacked sufficient support.
Nikko Panganiban was the only other San Juan player in double figures, contributing 10 points and four assists.
MPBL Commissioner Kenneth Duremdes presented the championship trophy to Pampanga Governor Dennis Pineda and the Giant Lanterns, who duplicated their sweep of the Knights from last year.
The game was tightly contested throughout. Pampanga went on a ten-point run to take control at 60-57, but San Juan stayed close, ending the third quarter just behind, 60-59.
With this victory, Pampanga extended its playoff win streak to 15 games since 2023, and their home win streak is now at 13.
San Juan surged early, taking a 19-10 lead, but Pampanga rallied, closing the gap to 21-20 behind Baltazar in the first quarter.
Wamar scored 14 points in the opening period, surpassing his Game One output of 12 points.
Arvin Gamboa’s two-of-three free throws with 0.8 seconds left in the first half gave San Juan a 39-32 lead at halftime.
The packed venue saw hundreds of fans watching the game on a giant LED screen outside, as those unable to get inside still supported their teams.
Pampanga took Game One, 91-84, on November eight at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
The MPBL Playoffs continue with Game Two of the South Division Finals between the Batangas City Tanduay Rum Masters and the Quezon Huskers at 7 p.m. at the Batangas City Coliseum.
Batangas leads the series 1-0, needing just one more win to clinch the division crown.
