All eyes will be on Pampanga when the Sixth Season of the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League unwraps this Saturday at the Calasiao Sports Complex in Calasiao, Pangasinan.
Coached by Pampanga Gov. Dennis “Delta” Pineda, the Giant Lanterns will be marching oozing with confidence after ruling the league’s Preseason Invitationals last month in General Santos City.
Reigning Most Valuable Player Justine Baltazar will be back to lead the league’s tallest frontline together with veterans Jeff Viernes and Jhaymo Eguilos, and capable scorers like Encho Serrano, Archie Concepcion, MJ Garcia and Kurt Reyson.
Virtually all of the MPBL coaches, including the multi-titled Louie Alas of Zamboanga Masters Sardines, have the Giant Lanterns on top of the 30-team projected rankings last month.
Also rated highly are the Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards, the 2022 national champions who will now be handled by Coach Don Dulay in place of Jerson Cabiltes for the elimination round.
Cabiltes will now be handling the Pangasinan Heatwaves, who are eager to shine in their first MPBL stint.
Other teams considered as strong bets for the quarterfinal round are the South Cotabato Warriors of MPBL founder Manny Pacquiao, the San Juan Knights, winner of the MPBL Datu Cup, Biñan of Coach Boyet Fernandez, and Batangas.
Quezon Province will also be a contender with Will Gozum in tow and so are Manila, Iloilo, Caloocan, newcomer Abra, which will be handled by Jonathan Banal, and Davao Occidental, the MPBL Lakan Season champion which is returning after a two-year hiatus.
