Would defense win it for Bacoor City?

In the eyes of Strikers head coach Alex Angeles, it can be done even against the star-studded Pampanga Giant Lanterns as the two top squads kick off their best-of-five Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League Fifth Season National Finals on Saturday at the Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center in San Fernando, Pampanga.

"Defense," Angeles said during Wednesday's press conference in Makati.

"Whatever happens, defense brought us to the finals. We will stick to that. Defense was the one that kept us alive (in the league). And that is where we get our spark."

Asked what would entail their success against a team oozing with topnotch talent, Angeles insists defense will be the key to victory.

"We need to lower the production of our opponents. One big factor. We will try to limit them," he said, knowing his players have to be at their optimum to get the job done.

Mark Yee, the tried and tested forward, will be at the forefront of Bacoor's defensive stance.

But whether he can sustain playing great defense will be put to test as he will have to contend with 6-foot-8 Justin Baltazar, Encho Serrano, John Lloyd Clemente and former Philippine Basketball Association star Arwind Santos.

Pampanga inserted the aging but still capable Santos into the roster a few months back, turning the team into a lethal unit.

Before joining Pampanga, Santos played in nine PBA champion teams and was a former Most Valuable Player award winner.

Santos credits his staying power to Pampanga governor and head coach Dennis "Delta" Pineda, who didn't hesitate to reinforce Pampanga with his vital presence.

Though Santos has mellowed down, his presence alone has made the Giant Lanterns an even tougher rival to slay owing to his glowing track record.

Pampanga toppled San Juan to bag the Northern Division crown while Bacoor City dumped Batangas City to rule the Southern Division title.

Before nailing a championship stint, Pampanga racked up a 26-2 win-loss record.

In contrast, Bacoor City posted a 23-8 mark.

MPBL commissioner Kenneth Duremdes was ecstatic with the composition of the finals and the crowd's turnout whenever the league staged games in Metro Manila and even in the provinces.

Waxing sentimental, Duremdes feels the MPBL is here to stay.

"Players come and go but the league is still here," Duremdes said.

Pampanga will have the homecourt edge during the entire series.

After this weekend's series opener, the Giant Lanterns host the Strikers anew during Game 2 on 28 November before Bacoor plays at home on 2 December at the Strike Gym.

Game 4 — if necessary — will be held again in Cavite.

But in the event the series goes the full route, Pampanga will be the host on 9 December.

All games will start at 7 p.m.