Falling short of the championship in the Luzon Finals, Pampanga-Luid can finally call themselves as champs after ruling the PSL National Finals born 2008 following a hard-earned 85-79 triumph over Caloocan last Thursday at Victoria Sports.
By winning the tournament, it earned the right to represent the Philippines in the Global Championship Challenge.
Banking on its solid firepower, Pampanga outlasted Batang Kankaloo down the stretch behind Chester Tulabut who top scored with 20 points.
But overall, it was the solid, all-around performance of Yujin Peña which stabilized Pampanga.
The burly but shifty Peña came away with a double-double performance of 14 points and 10 boards while also dishing out four assists, one block and a steal.
Also finishing in double-double was Iverson Pineda who had 13 points and 12 assists.
Kent Lagman contributed 12 points, four assists and four steals while Jay Castro chipped in 10 for Pampanga who finally won one for the region after all their teams ended up as bridesmaids in the Luzon leg.
The PSL Global Challenge opens this July 15 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum where seven teams are set to compete in three age-group categories – Born 2004, 2006 and 2008.
Aside from host Philippines, other teams competing are Thailand, United Kingdom, Italy, United States, Canada and New Zealand.
These international squads will be represented by young Pinoy players who are based overseas.
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