Game today:
(Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center)
7 p.m. — Bacoor vs Pampanga
Intensity is expected to soar as Bacoor and Pampanga collide in Game 1 of their Maharlika Pilipinas Fifth Season best-of-five title showdown tonight at the Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center in San Fernando City, Pampanga.
Action is set at 7 p.m. with both the Strikers and the Giant Lanterns looking to deliver the first blow in this series that is expected to go down the wire due to the tremendous amount of talent, skills and willingness of players from both sides.
With Most Valuable Player frontrunner Justine Baltazar at the helm, the Giant Lanterns took the tournament by storm as they won all but two games in their 28-game schedule in the elimination round.
A former De La Salle University star and Gilas Pilipinas standout, Baltazar joined other quality players like Encho Serrano, John Lloyd Clemente and veteran Arwind Santos in dominating the playoffs over Marikina, Caloocan and San Juan to emerge as champion of the North Division.
Meanwhile, Bacoor led the South Division with a 23-5 win-loss record in the eliminations before prevailing over Iloilo, Zamboanga and Batangas in the playoffs to rule the South Division.
Still, the National Finals will be an entirely different ballgame with the team that will show up hungry tipped to emerge victorious.
“The championship is anybody’s ballgame,” Pampanga team consultant Allan Trinidad said, speaking on behalf of head coach Gov. Dennis Pineda.
“We should now forget our games in the eliminations and the playoffs. Right now, we are focused on preparing against our opponent. We will take note of our advantages and disadvantages and do everything to improve. We will prepare as much as possible.”
Meanwhile, the Strikers will enter the series with the same mindset.
Bacoor coach Alex Angeles said they will have to find a way of stopping the 6-foot-8 Baltazar and 6-foot-5 Santos — two of the league’s best big men who represent the past and future of Philippine basketball.
“We’re always preaching our defense,” said Angeles, who will be banking on veterans Mark Yee, 6-foot-5 Jammer Jamito and 6-foot-6 Jhaymo Eguilos as well as young guns James Kwekuteye and JM Nermal.
“Whatever happens, we will always go back to our defense so we have to stick to our game plan. It is what keeps us alive.”
Game 2 will also be held in San Fernando on 28 November before the Finals swing to the Strike Gymnasium in Bacoor for Game 3 on 2 December.
