The Pampanga Giant Lanterns managed to win a crucial stage in the 5th Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) National Finals, even without their leader Arwind Santos.
In Game 1 of the MPBL National Finals, the Giant Lanterns defeated the Bacoor Strikers, 71-58, at the Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center in San Fernando, Pampanga.
Kurt Reyson, one of Pampanga’s college players, led the way with 22 points, including 4-of-4 three-pointers, earning him the best player award for the Giant Lanterns. Reyson played for the Letran Knights in the NCAA and returned to Pampanga's fold to make an instant impact.
The team only allowed Bacoor to score the first basket before taking control for good with an eight-point cluster. Reil Tolentino, John Lloyd Clemente, Justine Baltazar, and Encho Serrano were feeling under the weather due to the flu while Santos, a one-time PBA MVP and currently the Commissioner of the National Basketball Championships (NBC) Inter-High didn't play.
Baltazar posted 13 points, 6 assists, 3 steals, 1 block, and 16 rebounds.
The Strikers tried to make a comeback and got within 33-38 early in the third quarter. However, the 5-foot-10 Reyson combined with Baltazar, Allen Liwag, and Clemente to pad the lead to 52-37.
The Giant Lanterns dominated the boards with a score of 54-41 and extended their winning streak at home to 15.
JB Bahio had 8 points and 8 rebounds, Archie Concepcion chipped in 7 points and 2 assists, while MJ Garcia had 6 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists, and 4 steals for Gov. Dennis Pineda, also Pampanga's head coach.
Bacoor had 16 points and 5 rebounds from Jhaymo Eguilos and 16 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 steals from Jhan Nermal. James Kwekuteye, however, was a big letdown with only 2 points after missing his first 11 attempts, 6 rebounds, and 2 assists.
Game 2 is scheduled to take place on Nov. 28 at the same venue before moving to the Strike Gymnasium in Bacoor City for Game 3 on Dec. 2. If necessary, Game 4 will also be held in Bacoor on Dec. 5. San Fernando will again host the game if the best-of-five series goes the full route on Dec. 9.
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