Author: John Michael Decierdo Agustin
Photo Credit: MPBL
PAMPANGA made sure that their home crowd goes home smiling after taking the dub in game 1 of their Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) quarterfinal playoff matchup against Abra, all thanks to reigning MVP Justine Baltazar’s historic night.
The Giant Lanterns shone brighter than the Weavers in front of the Kapampangan people inside the Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center in San Fernando, Pampanga.
Although they started slow, the Giant Lanterns came alive in the second period and never looked back. With their championship pedigree roster, Pampanga won over Abra, 79-64.
Justine Baltazar’s Stellar Performance
Baltazar dominated the game and stuffed the stat sheet with his impressive 24 points, 16 rebounds, 7 assists, and 2 blocks to push Pampanga to being less than a way from reaching the semifinals.
Subsequently, Balti also became the latest player to join the MPBL 1,000-point club after his 24-point performance in the quarterfinals. He joins John Wilson, Mark Yee, and Chito Jaime, among others, in the elite 1k point milestone.
Pampanga and Abra will face each other again in a do-or-die game 2 on October 16, 2024, at the Nueva Ecija Coliseum.
Meanwhile, Pasay Bows Down to Nueva Ecija in Game 1
Pasay may have won against Nueva Ecija in the 29-team round-robin, but the latter got the victory in the playoffs, 82-72.
Robby Celiz was everywhere on the court, putting up 23 points, 4 assists, 3 rebounds, and a couple of steals and blocks.
Pasay’s Laurenz Paul Victoria gathered 24 points, but the offensive firepower of the Rice Vanguards proved to be overwhelming for the Voyagers.
The Scores:
- Game 1: Pampanga Giant Lanterns vs. Abra Weavers (79-64)
- Game 1: Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards vs. Pasay Voyagers (82-72)
