The Pampanga Giant Lanterns and the Quezon Huskers made their way to the Al Nasr Club’s Rashid Bin Hamdan in Dubai, United Arab Emirates on December 2 for game 1 of the highly-anticipated 2024 MPBL Finals. However, the 2023 champions dominated the Southerners, 88-71, behind another terrific performance from Mr. MVP himself, Justine Baltazar.
Pampanga Too Much for Quezon
Justine Baltazar gave another stellar showcase after going for 24 points, 7 assists, 16 rebounds, and 2 steals, all while being efficient on the floor. The reigning MVP was dominant and unstoppable in the paint, which paved the way for Pampanga’s game 1 dub. Archie Concepcion also helped with 17 points and 3 rebounds while Brandon Ramirez tallies his second double-double of the season after putting up 11 points and 11 rebounds. Encho Serrano was quickly ejected after a disqualifying foul early in the first period, which allowed Kurt Spencer Reyson to run point. Reyson finished with 8 points, 6 assists, 3 rebounds, and 1 steal.
The Giant Lanterns proved to be just too much of a heavyweight for the Southern champs. With veteran Gab Banal sitting on the sidelines after being suspended for game 1 following his ejection in their last game against Batangas, Quezon just couldn’t keep up with Pampanga’s offensive and defensive firepower. They were completely outrebounded (48-38) and outplayed in free throws (68.2%-33.3%). Top that with Louell Jay Gonzalez being forced to sit after getting an elbow to the face from Encho Serrano.
Two of their best players are out, while Quezon’s streaky scorer Judel Ric Fuentes was having a poor shooting outing. He went 3-for-16 from the field and 1-for-11 from three-point land and finished with only 8 points, 3 assists, and 6 rebounds in 30 minutes. No other Husker scored more than 8 points aside from the surprising barrage from Rodel Gravera, who went for a season-high 20.
Pampanga’s Serrano will be suspended for game 2 while Gonzalez’s health status is still questionable.
Game 2 will be held on Wednesday, December 3, still in Dubai. A third game will see the return of the MPBL Finals in the Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center, in front of Pampanga’s home crowd.
