Defending champion Pampanga battered Abra, 79-64, on Tuesday in Game 1 of their North Division quarterfinal playoff in the MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) Sixth Season at the jampacked Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center in San Fernando, Pampanga.
Shrugging off a shaky start following a 23-day break, the Justine Baltazar-powered Giant Lanterns took control at halftime, 40-26, and never yielded it back to move within a win of advancing to the semifinal round of the two-division tournament that started with 29 teams in the round-robin elimination phase.
Showing why he's the reigning MVP, Baltazar tallied game-highs 24 points and 16 rebounds to go with 7 assists and 2 blocks to run away with the Daily Fantasy best player honors over Archie Concepcion and MJ Garcia. Concepcion posted 12 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists while Garcia chalked 10 points, 6 assists, 3 rebounds, and 2 steals to help the Giant Lanterns extend their hot streak to 12 at their home court.
Led by Baltazar and Brandon Ramirez, who notched 8 points and 10 rebounds, the Giant Lanterns controlled the boards, 54-44, and decisively outscored the Weavers, 58-34, inside the paint.
Pampanga coach Gov. Dennis Pineda said his wards struggled to get their rhythm as they didn't play for three weeks after securing the No. 2 spot behind the San Juan Knights in the North Division. But once the Giant Lanterns hit their stride, they left the Weavers behind by as far as 67-46 early in the fourth quarter.
Pineda said they have a lot to work on, especially their 3-point, converting only 1 of 10 attempts, and free throw shooting, making only 14 of 28 tries, if they are to cut short the best-of-three series on Wednesday, Oct. 16.
Abra, the No. 7 North qualifier, got 20 points and 4 rebounds from Wendelino Comboy, 13 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists from Ryan Batino, 13 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 steals from Roi Sumang, and 8 points plus 10 rebounds from Jeepy Faundo.
Earlier, Nueva Ecija subdued Pasay, 81-72, in the opener of their quarterfinal playoff and likewise moved on the verge of advancing to the semifinal round.
Spearheaded by Robby Celiz, the Rice Vanguards surged ahead, 80-64, to stay. Celiz notched 23 points, 4 assists, 3 rebounds, 2 steals, and 2 blocks, followed by JB Bahio, Emman Calo, and JC Cullar. The 6-foot-5 Bahio tallied 11 points plus 5 rebounds, Cullar 10 points plus 5 assists, and Calo 10 points, all in the quarter where he scored the Rice Vanguards' last five points.
The MPBL Playoffs continue on Thursday at the Batangas City Coliseum with games pitting Binan against South Cotabato at 6 p.m. and Davao against Batangas at 8 p.m.
