The Pampanga Giant Lanterns completed a perfect run to back-to-back MPBL championships with a 65-61 victory over the Quezon Huskers late Saturday at the Bren Z. Guiao Sports Center in San Fernando, Pampanga.
Justine Baltazar, showing why he deserves a second straight MVP award, powered the Giant Lanterns to a sweep of the best-of-five title series and a perfect home stand in the 29-team tournament.
READ Justine Baltazar becomes first MPBL back-to-back MVP
Right after the final buzzer, confetti rained on the floor and an emotional Pineda and team owner AG Gonzales hugged before the governor thanked the thousands of Kapampangans who packed the venue.
Sources said the Giant Lanterns will be rewarded with an all-expense paid trip to Las Vegas.
Exploiting his 6-foot-8 frame, Baltazar posted 19 points, 19 rebounds, 2 assists and 1 block as Pampanga became the first MPBL team to make a successful title defense.
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 Game One ejection and Game Two suspension with 6 rebounds, 3 assists and 1 steal.
Unlike the first two games in Dubai which they dominated, 88-71, and 79-60, respectively, the Giant Lanterns experienced six deadlocks and trailed the Huskers for 5 minutes and 17 seconds this time.
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 8 points.
Jhaymo Eguilos helped Baltazar underneath with 15 rebounds, enabling the Giant Lanterns to rule the boards again, 53-46.
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