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Simply hours after copping a historic MVP win, Justine Baltazar powers the Pampanga Large Lanterns to their second straight MPBL championship after a sweep of the Quezon Huskers
MANILA, Philippines – They’re actually Pampanga’s finest.
Powered by MVP Justine Baltazar, the Pampanga Large Lanterns accomplished a finals collection sweep of the Quezon Huskers, 65-61, to turn out to be the primary back-to-back champion of the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) late Saturday, December 7, on the Bren Z. Guiao Sports activities Middle in San Fernando, Pampanga.
Baltazar, who additionally made historical past by changing into the league’s first back-to-back MVP, once more posted a monster double-double of 19 factors and 19 rebounds to go along with 2 assists and 1 block.
Archie Concepcion scored 19 and Encho Serrano had 15 factors to backstop the 6-foot-8 Baltazar as Pampanga wrapped up the best-of-five collection at 3-0.
Concepcion, who scored the insurance coverage charity with 10.9 seconds left, additionally grabbed 5 rebounds, whereas Serrano atoned for his earlier shortcomings with 6 boards, 3 assists, and 1 steal.
In contrast to the primary two video games the place they dominated, the Large Lanterns skilled six deadlocks this time and trailed the Huskers for five minutes and 17 seconds.
With Jhaymo Eguilos serving to Baltazar beneath with 15 rebounds, the Large Lanterns dominated the boards once more, 53-46.
Quezon acquired 21 factors from Judel Fuentes and 18 factors from LJay Gonzales, however their efforts fell quick as Al Francis Tamsi solely scored 8.
The Large Lanterns handily gained Recreation 1, 88-71, and Recreation 2, 79-60, in Dubai, marking the primary time in Philippine basketball that championship video games have been held on international soil.
King Baltazar
The runaway MVP winner final 12 months, Baltazar was once more dominant all through the 29-team event, posting averages of 15.56 factors, 16.0 rebounds, 5.91 assists, and 1.19 steals whereas taking part in for 30.44 minutes every sport.
Towering but cell, Baltazar towed Pampanga to the North Division championship by way of a two-game sweep of San Juan, adopted by victories in Recreation 1 and Recreation 2 of the Nationwide Finals in Dubai in opposition to South Division champion Quezon Province.
Within the finale, Baltazar additional raised his output with averages of 18.5 factors, 17.5 rebounds, 6.5 assists, 3.0 steals, and 1.5 blocks.
Named within the Legendary Staff with Baltazar have been Orlan Wamar of the San Juan Knights, JC Marcelino of Zamboanga Masters Sardines, Will McAloney of the Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards, and Cedric Ablaza of the Batangas Metropolis Tanduay Rum Masters.
Chosen for the Second Staff have been Greg Slaughter of the Manila SV Batang Sampaloc SGA Stars, JP Sarao of the Parañaque Patriots, Robby Celiz of Nueva Ecija, Archie Concepcion of Pampanga, and LJay Gonzales of the Quezon Huskers.
JR Olegario, a key participant for the Patriots, was chosen the Finest Homegrown, Daybreak Ochea of Batangas was named the Finest Defensive Participant, Lawrence Victoria of Rizal Xentromall copped the Most Improved, and Nikko Panganiban of San Juan was honored with the Sportsmanship award.
Consultant Oca Malapitan of the Caloocan Batang Kankaloo gained the Finest Government award, whereas Pampanga Governor Dennis Pineda additionally marked a milestone by changing into the MPBL’s first back-to-back champion coach. – Rappler.com
