Pampanga barged into the semifinal round while Pasig forced a decider with Caloocan on Friday in the MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) Fifth Season Playoffs at the Caloocan Sports Complex.
Showing their depth and strength, the Pampanga Giant Lanterns repeated over the Marikina Shoemasters, 81-61, to cut short their best-of-three quarterfinal series and become the first semifinal qualifier among the 16 teams that advanced to the knockout playoffs.
Pasig City MCW Sports, on the other hand, bunched eight points in the last three minutes and 20 seconds to exact revenge over Caloocan Batang Kankaloo, 65-61, in their own quarterfinal series.
Justine Baltazar sparkled for Pampanga with 22 points, 11 rebounds, five assists and one steal. He was supported by MJ Garcia and veteran Arwind Santos with 13 points as the Giant Lanterns pounded the Shoemasters throughout and erected their biggest spread at the final buzzer.
Powered by Archie Concepcion with 26 points and Baltazar’s 21 rebounds, Pampanga also prevailed in Game One, 82-70.
Concepcion contributed eight points, seven assists, four steals and four rebounds in Game Two as Pampanga, being coached by Gov. Dennis Pineda, hardly missed gunner Encho Serrano, who was down with the flu.
Pineda said in the post-game interview that he’s going to give the Giant Lanterns a three-day break before resuming their preparations for the semifinals against the winner between Pasig and Caloocan.
