THE Pampanga Giant Lanterns shoot for the MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) Sixth Season crown when they tangle with the Quezon Huskers at 7 p.m. on Saturday in Game Three of the National Finals at the Bren Z. Guiao Sports Center in San Fernando, Pampanga.
After sweeping the Huskers in historic Game One, 88-81, and Game Two, 79-60, both held in Dubai, the Giant Lanterns appear poised to cut short the best-of-five series at their homecourt and become the MPBL's first back-to-back champions.
Justine Baltazar is certain to retain the MVP plum, averaging 18.5 points, 17.5 rebounds, 6.5 assists, 3 steals, and 1.5 blocks in the Finals, where the Giant Lanterns, the North Division champion, have proved better than the Huskers, the South Division titlist, in all aspects.
Pampanga paced Quezon in total rebounds (101-88), assists (51-44), steals (17-16), and blocks (7-3) and committed fewer turnovers (29-31), reasons why the Giant Lanterns led for an imposing 39 minutes and 18 seconds in Game One and 36:11 in Game Two.
Other key players for Pampanga head coach Gov. Dennis Pineda are Archie Concepcion, MJ Garcia, Encho Serrano, Kurt Reyson, and Brandon Ramirez.
Following his 20-point explosion in Game Two, Reyson is averaging 14 points, 6.5 assists, 4 rebounds, and 1.5 steals while filling in the role of Serrano, who got ejected in the first quarter of Game One and suspended for Game Two.
Concepcion is averaging 12.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 1.5 assists and Ramirez 8.5 points plus 9 rebounds.
Jhaymo Eguilos, Raymond Binuya, and Rence Alcoriza have also stepped up for the Giant Lanterns, who are pouncing on the Huskers' manpower shortage and shooting woes.
Apart from being unbeaten in the MPBL playoffs since 2023, the Giant Lanterns also shine at home with 13 straight wins thus far.
No wonder, the Giant Lanterns are solid picks to mark another milestone after becoming the first Philippine team to win a championship game on foreign soil on Dec. 1.
