The Pampanga Giant Lanterns met some opposition but still took it home in the end, 65-61, on Saturday to sweep the Quezon Huskers and become the first back-to-back champion of the MPBL at the Bren Z. Guiao Sports Center in San Fernando, Pampanga.
Justine Baltazar showing why he's deserving of a second straight MVP, powered the Giant Lanterns to their third straight victory in the shortened best-of-five title series of the 29-team league's sixth season.
Putting his 6-foot-8 frame to good use, Baltazar posted 19 points, 19 rebounds, two assists and a block in 36 minutes and 5 seconds of play.
Mythical Team member Archie Concepcion and Encho Serrano supported Baltazar with 19 and 15 points, respectively.
Concepcion, who scored the insurance charity with 10.9 seconds left added 5 rebounds while Serrano atoned for his earlier shortcomings with six rebounds, three assists and one steal.
Unlike the first two games which they dominated, the Giant Lanterns experienced six deadlocks this time and trailed the Huskers for 5 minutes and 17 seconds.
Pampanga Gov. Dennis Pineda also marked a milestone, becoming the MPBL's first back-to-back champion coach.
Quezon got 21 points from Judel Fuentes and 18 points from LJay Gonzales, but their efforts fell short as Al Francis Tamsi could only contribute eight points.
With Jhaymo Eguilos helping Baltazar underneath with 15 rebounds, the Giant Lanterns ruled the boards again, 53-46.
The Giant Lanterns handily won Game One, 88-71, and Game Two, 79-60, in Dubai, marking the first time in Philippine basketball that championship games were held on foreign soil
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
