ANGELES CITY – An inspired Pampanga squad showed up to book an 82-79 victory over Parañaque in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League Datu Cup at the Angeles University Foundation here.

With the province’s best product – Talk ‘N Text star Jayson Castro – in attendance, the Lanterns refused to succumb to pressure to tarnish the clean slate of the Patriots-F2 Logistics.

Michael Juico scored the most points produced by any player while Juneric Baloria put one over his former squad in a much-awaited battle that features two teams in a bitter tug-of-war for players in the off-season.

Juico, who was plucked from Globalport in the Philippine Basketball Association, poured in a personal-high 35 points, shattering the previous record of 33 set by Yves Sazon during opening night at the Araneta Coliseum.

Baloria, the star player who previously saw action for the Patriots last season but decided to transfer to the Lanterns, scattered 20 points and got the better end of his match up against his former squad.

Also playing solid on both ends of the court was Marlon Gomez, an undersized center, who finished with a double-double of 11 points and 12 rebounds.

Prior to that, Reed Juntilla erupted for 19 points to power Zamboanga to an 87-80 win over Marikina in the first game.

It was the third straight loss for the Shoemasters since winning their debut game on June 12.