REIGNING champions Pampanga Giant Lanterns met stiff resistance from Imus before prevailing, 79-74, on Thursday in their MPBL 2025 Season debut at the Pasay Astrodome.
With six key players from last year's back-to-back champions gone, the Giant Lanterns needed to fend off the spirited Braderhood in the final period through Archie Concepcion, Chris Lalata, Renz Palma, Jhaymo Eguilos, Raymond Binuya, and John Lloyd Clemente.
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Back-to-back buckets by Palma pushed Pampanga ahead, 76-74, before Clemente split his free throws and Lalata sealed the win with two more charities, only three seconds left.
Binuya was named Best Player after posting 14 points, 5 assists and 3 rebounds, while Concepcion poured all of his 12 points in the fourth quarter to go with 5 assists.
Lalata, recruited to fill up the slack left by back-to-back MVP Justine Baltazar, tallied 12 points, 12 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 blocks and 2 steals; Clemente contributed 12 points, 6 rebounds and 3 assists; and Eguilos made 10 points, 9 rebounds and 2 assists.
Jayjay Caspe shone for Imus anew with 19 points, including back-to-back triples that pushed the Bardehood ahead, 69-67, to go with 6 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steals.
The Braderhood, who dropped to 1-1, also got 16 points, 7 rebounds and 3 assists from Kint Ariar, 15 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists from Jayvee Dela Cruz, and 11 points plus 6 rebounds from Regie Boy Basibas.
Pampanga, which controlled the boards, 52-41, surged ahead, 27-16, before Imus countered and seized control at 36-31.
The MPBL visits the Alonte Sports Arena on Friday with games pitting Bulacan against Pangasinan at 4 p.m., Marikina against Abra at 6 p.m., and Binan against Mindoro at 8 p.m.
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