For two seasons, the Pampanga Giant Lanterns have dominated the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL). Winning two consecutive championships just sums up their dominance in the league. But, just like all things, everything must come to an end.
With a lot of changes to the team and the franchise moving forward, we’ll discuss what could be next for the back-to-back champs and what’s in store for Pampanga’s beloved ball club next season.
From MPBL to PBA: Pampanga’s Best No More
It’s been long overdue, but we’re glad Justine Baltazar will move to greater heights in his career. After bringing in two chips for the Kapampangan people, Balti will now join the Converge FiberXers in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) after being picked first overall in the 2024 PBA draft earlier this year. The 27-year-old superstar has already cemented his legacy in the MPBL and it’s high time he faces bigger competition. Unfortunately for Pampanga, Baltazar isn’t the only one who’s about to part ways with the team.
Big man Brandon Ramirez and game changer Kurt Reyson will be playing for the PBA teams that drafted them this year. Ramirez will finally join the ranks of the NLEX Road Warriors while Reyson will now take part as a member of Meralco Bolts. Right after their well-fought championship, three of Pampanga’s best players are gone in an instant.
With Archie Concepcion and Encho Serrano also having a terrific season, who’s to say PBA teams won’t go after these two elite players players? Considering Concepcion is an MPBL Mythical Five member and Serrano is a very serviceable point guard.
Gov. Delta Not Backing the Giant Lanterns Anymore
Baltzar, Ramirez, and Reyson are already leaving Pampanga, and so is Coach Dennis “Delta” Pineda. The Pampanga governor and business tycoon has already informed everyone that he won’t spearhead the Giant Lanterns anymore as he will be taking over as the head coach of the Converge FiberXers, replacing interim head coach, Franco Atienza.
This news broke just a couple of days after winning the MPBL championship on Saturday. Of course, this team could still be handled by a different person, but Gov. Delta is still one of the main key reasons of this team’s success through the years.
MPBL Will be a Free-For-Fall Battle Next Season
There are going to be a lot of changes in the league next year. Old teams like Basilan are planning a comeback next season, while disgruntled clubs like Manila Stars are rumored to be removing themselves soon. Even the owners of the contending Zamboanga Master Sardines are planning to move the team to the PBA. While those moves can change the scenery of the league, a Pampanga squad that seems to be rebuilding from scratch will be the biggest opening for championship hopefuls.
And while they’re trying to put things back with Baltazar and Gov. Delta now gone, other teams are now prepared to take over the crown. Just recently, the Marcelino Twins, Jaycee, and Jayvee, have parted ways with Zamboanga after three years of competitiveness. However, they’re transferring to another championship-contending team, the San Juan Knights. Adding a former MVP alongside Orlan Wamar Jr. in their roster is definitely not what everyone expected after falling short in the North Division finals.
With Balti out, it’s going to be an “all hell breaks loose” type of season for MPBL next year. Nueva Ecija or San Juan may finally return to the National finals again, something Pampanga stopped from happening for two straight years.
New Stars in the League?
Baltazar may have been the biggest name in the league for the last couple of years, but that did not stop teams from acquiring equally or even more popular stars like Marc Pingris and Greg Slaughter.
Months before season 7 even kicks off, we are already hearing a lot of rumors surrounding new basketball stars who may join MPBL soon. Insider Snow Badua hinted that the muscle man, Vic Manuel, maybe taking his talents to Maharlika in the near future. Meanwhile, Zamboanga, aside from publicly stating their bid to become a PBA ball club, has also openly desired to have 35-year-old superstar Christian Standhardinger. There are also talks of retired PBA veteran Rico Maierhofer joining Pingris, Helterbrand, and Cardona in Biñan.
There’s definitely a lot of fuss in the MPBL, and these changes will surely impact Pampanga’s bid for another title.
