Defending champion Pampanga denied Nueva Ecija's final lunge to take Game One, 76-73, of their North Division semifinal series in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
Powered by Justine Baltazar, the Giant Lanterns broke away, 63-53, early in the fourth quarter, before the Rice Vanguards stormed back to even the count behind John Wilson and JB Bahio
The Giant Lanterns, however, countered with eight points, capped by a triple by Encho Serrano, against a basket by Rob Celiz to decide the outcome.
Showing why he's the reigning MVP, Baltazar posted 15 points, 26 rebounds, three blocks and two steals to earn best player honors.
Serrano also did his part with 19 points and five rebounds, Kurt Reyson added 11 while MJ Garcia and Brandon Ramirez added 10 points apiece.
Celiz led the way for the Rice Vanguards with 21 points, nine rebounds and four assists, and 15 points from Wilson.
Exploiting their height advantage, the Giant Lanterns poured in 50 points in the paint against only 26 for the Rice Vanguards.
Pampanga will try to sweep the best-of-three series on Wednesday, Oct. 30, at the Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center in San Fernando, Pampanga.
The MPBL playoffs resume on Monday, Oct. 28, with the South Division semifinal playoffs at the Quezon Convention Center pitting Batangas against South Cotabato at 6 p.m. and Paranaque against Quezon Province at 8 p.m.
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