Pampanga tries to sustain its sizzling form when it battles San Juan in Game 1 of their Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League Fifth Season North Division Finals duel on Saturday at the Brez Z. Guiao Convention Center in San Fernando City.
Game 1 of the best-of-three series is set at 7 p.m. with the Giant Lanterns tagged as overwhelming favorites as they parade a young, towering and talented roster that enjoys the solid support of the local crowd.
In their elimination round encounter on 30 September, Pampanga trounced San Juan, 89-73, at the Quezon Convention Center in Lucena City.
That result, however, isn’t reflective of how their finals series would turn out as a lot of key players were absent for both teams then.
Justine Baltazar, the Most Valuable Player race pacesetter, did not play while veteran Arwind Santos had yet to suit up for Pampanga.
San Juan, on the other hand, missed the services of starters Orlan Wamar, Adrian Nocum and Michael Calisaan and the reliable Marwin Taywan.
