Pampanga drubs Bacoor in finals opener

MANILA, Philippines — Pampanga drubbed Bacoor, 71-58, to draw first blood in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) national finals over the weekend at the Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center in San Fernando, Pampanga.

Buoyed by a roaring home crowd, the Giant Lanterns uncorked a 21-4 rally and never looked back for the 1-0 lead in the best-of-five titular showdown between first-time MPBL national finalists.

Game 2 is still in Pampanga tomorrow as the Giant Lanterns look to move on the cusp of the MPBL 5th season crown.

Kurt Reyson, a Letran Knight who’s just done with their NCAA campaign, provided an immediate impact with 22 points, four rebounds and an assist in only 20 minutes of play.

MVP race frontrunner Justine Baltazar collared 13 points, 16 rebounds, six assists, two steals and a block to anchor Pampanga’s defensive clinic with JB Bahio (8), Archie Concepcion (7), John Lloyd Clemente (6) and Michael John Garcia (6) chipping in help.

Pampanga, which ruled the North Division and topped all teams in the prelims with an absurd 26-2 slate, hardly needed an explosion from another ace player Encho Serrano who was limited to five points.