The Pampanga Giant Lanterns opened their title quest with a 71-58 domination against the visiting Bacoor City Strikers on 25 November 2023 at the Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center. The Lanterns clamped down on defense right off the bat while hitting efficiently on the offensive end to end the first quarter, 21-7, in their favor.
The Bacoor City Strikers, nonetheless, were able to regain their composure in the second quarter. Led by Yvan Ludovice, the Strikers were able to win the 2nd quarter battle, 21-17, to cut the deficit to 10 points at the end of the 1st half.
The game, however, had to be stopped momentarily at the last 28 seconds of the third (3rd) quarter when the home crowd threw water bottles on the court after Lester Reyes of the Bacoor City Strikers committed a disqualifying foul on Justine Baltazar. Fortunately, Governor Delta Pineda was able to pacify the crowd and the game resumed. Pampanga closed the third quarter with a 53-37 lead.
In the fourth (4th) quarter, the Strikers managed only to get close by twelve (12) points. It was all Pampanga Giant Lanterns who controlled the game as they cruised into a 71-58 win to move closer to the team's 1st ever crown in the MPBL.
Kurt Reyson led all scorers with 22 points. He also grabbed four (4) rebounds and dished out an assist to earn the best player of the game citation. It was just another day at the office for Justine Baltazar who posted another double-double with 13 points and 16 rebounds, in addition to six (6) assists, two (2) steals and a block.
Other Key contributors for the Lanterns are Archie Concepcion with seven (7) points, JB Bahio with eight (8) points, and MJ Garcia with six (6) points. Jhaymo Eguilos and Jhan Nermal led the Bacoor City Strikers with 16 points apiece. Notably, James Kwekuteye was limited to only 2 points with an atrocious 1/7 field goal.
The game 2 of the 2023 MPBL National Finals will be held on 28 November 2023 also at the Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center.
Box Scores:
Pampanga (71): Reyson 22, Baltazar 13, Bahio 8, Concepcion 7, Clemente 6, Garcia 6, Serrano 5, Liwag 4, Apolonio 0, Santos 0, Sangalang 0, De Leon 0, Tolentino 0, Binuya 0, Santos 0.
Bacoor (58): Nermal 16, Eguilos 16, Jaime 8, Ludovice 7, Jeruta 4, Yu 3, Kwekuteye 2, Yee 2, Alday 0, Jamito 0, Pasturan 0, Lopez 0, Villoria 0, Reyes 0, Canete 0.
MPBL 2023 NATIONAL FINALS SCHEDULE AND RESULTS
Game 1: Pampanga 71-58 Bacoor
Bren Z. Guiao Sports Complex, Pampanga
Game 2: November 28, 2023 (7:00 PM)
Bren Z. Guiao Sports Complex, Pampanga
Game 3: December 2, 2023 (7:00 PM)
Strike Gym, Bacoor
Game 4: December 5, 2023 (If necessary)
Strike Gym, Bacoor
Game 5: December 9, 2023 (If necessary
Bren Z. Guiao Sports Complex, Pampanga