The Pampanga Giant Lanterns prevailed over the Caloocan Batang Kankaloo, 74-63, in Game 1 of the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League Northern Division semifinals on Friday night at the Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center in Pampanga.
Justine Baltazar led the way with a double-double of 17 points and 14 rebounds to go with three assists, three steals, and two blocks as the Giant Lanterns took a 1-0 lead in the best-of-three series.
The Giant Lanterns went to work early, behind inside conversions from Baltazar, for a 24-11 lead. Pampanga widened the lead further in the second quarter with baskets from Encho Serrano and Arwind Santos as it reached 43-26 at the half.
Pampanga’s advantage reached as high as 29 points in the second half, but Caloocan went on a massive run in the fourth quarter as they trimmed the deficit to as low as 11 points.
“Maganda ang naging scouting namin sa Caloocan, kasi matagal din kaming nakapag prepare para sa kanila,” Baltazar said. “Alam namin na ang Caloocan, minsan, maganda ang scoring nila.”
“Pero ‘yung fourth quarter namin medyo hindi maganda kasi nakahabol ‘yung Caloocan kaya kailangan namin ma-sustain ‘yung energy namin hanggang dulo sa Game 2,” he added.
Paul Sanga led the way for the Batang Kankaloo with 17 points, including four three-point conversions, while Jeramer Cabanag chipped in 12 markers.
The post Pampanga edges Caloocan in MPBL North semis opener first appeared on Fastbreak.
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