The Pampanga Giant Lanterns shone at home on Monday, besting the San Juan Knights, 81-73, to retain the North Division crown of the MPBL inside the packed Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center in San Fernando, Pampanga.
Surviving a tough challenge from the Knights, the Giant Lanterns scored the last eight points to cut short the best-of-three series, 2-0, and stay on course of becoming the MPBL's first back-to-back national champs.
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, UAE, where the first two games of the MPBL National Finals will be held on Dec. 1 and Dec. 3.
Showing why he's the reigning MVP, Pampanga's Justine Baltazar posted 24 points, 18 rebounds, four assists and two steals to earn best player honors.
Other Giant Lanterns who delivered for Pampanga voach Gov. Dennis Pineda were Archie Concepcion with 19 points and three rebounds, Encho Serrano with 11 points, four rebounds, four assists and two steals and Brandon Ramirez with seven points, nine rebounds and three steals.
Orlan Wamar saw his 30 points and five assists go to waste as Nikko Panganiban was the only player to breach double digits with 10 points and four assists.
The Giant Lanterns bunched 10 points to seize control at 60-57 before the third quarter ended at 60-59.
By extending their home streak to 13, the Giant Lanterns won their 15th straight playoff win starting 2023.
Powered by Wamar, San Juan surged ahead, 19-10, before Pampanga rallied, 20-21, behind Baltazar after the first quarter.
Wamar fired 14 points in that span, already surpassing his 12-point output in Game One.
Hundreds of fans who were unable to go inside settled for watching the game at the giant LED screen beside the packed venue.
Pampanga took Game One, 91-84, on Nov. 8 at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
The MPBL Playoffs continue with Game Two of the South Division Finals between the Batangas City Tanduay Rum Masters and the Quezon Huskers at 7 p.m. at the Batangas City Coliseum.
Batangas prevailed in Game One, 75-69, and needs only a repeat to clinch the division crown.
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