Dubai - The numbers overwhelmingly favor the Pampanga Giant Lanterns over the Quezon Huskers in the opener of the MPBL Sixth Season National Finals at 7 p.m. (11 p.m. in Manila) on Sunday at the Al Nasr Club's Rashid Bin Hamdan Indoor Hall.
Counting the games in the elimination round and the playoffs, statistics show that North Division and defending national titlist Pampanga led the 29 teams that competed in average scores, rebounds and assists, way ahead of South Division champion Quezon, which could only land 15th, eighth and 17th, respectively, in these vital aspects.
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The Giant Lanterns, bidding to become the league's first back-to-back titlists, also paced the Huskers in blocks (fourth against 15th) and steals (12th against 21st), making them the logical pick to prevail in the opener of the five-game series.
In addition, Pampanga boasts a taller, deeper roster led by Justine Baltazar, who's on track to become the MPBL's first back-to-back MVP with per-game averages of 15.4 points, 15.9 rebounds, 5.9 assists, 1.1 steals and 1.2 blocks.
Baltazar will be supported by fellow homegrown icons Archie Concepcion (13.7 points per game), Encho Serrano (13 ppg) and MJ Garcia (8.1 ppg).
Other Giant Lanterns expected to shine for head coach Pampanga Gov. Dennis Pineda are Kurt Reyson, Rence Alcoriza, Jeff Viernes and frontliners Brandon Ramirez, Lervin Flores and Jhaymo Eguilos.
The Huskers will draw power from LJay Gonzales, hero of the deciding Game Three in their South Finals encounter with the Batangas City Tanduay Rum Masters, Jason Opiso, savior of Game Two, top gunner Judel Fuentes and slam dunker Ximone Sandagon.
Former MPBL Gab Ganal will sit out Game One of the National Finals after getting ejected in the last game of the South Finals.
Quezon Coach Eric Gonzales will also rely on RJ Minerva, Alfrancis Tamsi, Mon Abundo, Topeng Lagrama, Xyrus Torres and Robin Rono if the Huskers wish to halt the Giant Lanterns' 13-game run since the 2023 playoffs, where they swept the Bacoor Strikers, 3-0, in the National Finals.
Aside from planing in hundreds of supporters, Pineda is enjoining Kapampangans living or working in the United Arab Emirates to watch Game One and Game Two set on Tuesday and transform the venue into the Giant Lanterns' homecourt.
MPBL founder and CEO Manny Pacquiao will watch Game One and Game Two and will play an exhibition game against a United Arab Emirates selection on Monday.
Pacquiao will be joined by Commissioner Kenneth Duremdes, other MPBL officials and reinforcements from the two national finalists.
The championship series will return to the Bren Z. Guiao Sports Complex in San Fernando, Pampanga, for Game Three. If necessary, Game Four will be played at the Quezon Convention Center in Lucena City on Dec. 10 and Game Five at the Bren Z. Guiao Sports Complex.
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