Lanterns rule North, earn ticket to Dubai

Pampanga sprinted while San Juan sputtered in the homestretch to emerge with an 81-73 victory and clinch its second straight North Division crown in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) Sixth Season on Monday at the overcrowded Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center in San Fernando, Pampanga.

Unleashing a strong finishing kick, the Giant Lanterns held the Knights to two points while scoring 12 markers, including the last six, to cut short the best-of-three series, 2-0, and stay on course of becoming the MPBL’s first back-to-back national titlist.

The Giant Lanterns will be facing the winner of the South Division Finals between the Batangas City Tanduay Rum Masters and the Quezon Huskers.

As a bonus, the Giant Lanterns are already assured of a trip to Dubai, where the first two games of the MPBL National Finals will be held on 1 December and 3 December.

Showing why he’s the reigning MVP, Pampanga’s Justine Baltazar posted 24 points, 18 rebounds, four assists and two steals to earn the Daily Fantasy best player honors.

Other Giant Lanterns who delivered for Pampanga Coach Gov. Dennis Pineda were Archie Concepcion with 19 points and three rebounds, Encho Serrano with 11 points, four rebounds, four assists and two steals, Kurt Reyson with eight points, all in the first quarter, and Brandon Ramirez with seven points, capped by the game’s final four, nine rebounds and three steals.

With Baltazar and Ramirez patrolling the paint, the Giant Lanterns ruled the boards, 53-41, resulting in more second-chance points, 30-14.

San Juan drew 30 points and five assists from Orlan Wamar but got little support with Nikko Panganiban chalking 10 points and four assists, Michael Malonzo seven points, eight rebounds and three assists and Agem Miranda seven points, three rebounds, three assists and two steals.

MPBL Commissioner Kenneth Duremdes awarded the championship trophy to Pineda and the Giant Lanterns, who duplicated their sweep of the Knights in last year’s North Finals.

Hundreds of fans who could not go inside settled for watching the game at the giant LED screen beside the jampacked venue.

The Giant Lanterns bunched 10 points to seize control at 60-57 before the third quarter ended at 60-59.

It was the 15th straight playoff victory by the Giant Lanterns since 2023 and their 13th straight win at home.