The Pampanga Giant Lanterns leaned on a huge finishing run to tarnish the Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards’ erstwhile unbeaten record with a 91-85 victory in the 2024 MPBL season on Saturday night at the Nueva Ecija Coliseum.
Down 75-76 with over five minutes left, the Giant Lanterns got a three-pointer from Archie Concepcion, two free throws from Kurt Reyson, and a layup from Allen Liwag for an 82-76 lead.
The Rice Vanguards responded with baskets from William McAloney and Robby Celiz, but the Giant Lanterns got back-to-back hits from Encho Serrano and an inside hit from Justine Baltazar for an 88-80 edge.
Nueva Ecija made their last push at 84-88 on connections from Emman Calo and Robby Celiz, but Pampanga sealed the win with a layup from Liwag and a split free throw from Reyson.
Concepcion finished with 20 points, including four three-point conversions, to go with three rebounds and three steals as Pampanga registered their 14th straight win for a 14-1 record.
Reyson chipped in 17 points, seven rebounds, and seven assists; Baltazar posted a double-double of 16 points and 17 rebounds; and Serrano and Renz Alcoriza contributed 15 and 10, respectively, for Pampanga.
McAloney top-scored for the Rice Vanguards with 23 points; JC Cullar added 11 points and eight assists; and Celiz and John Byron Villarias had 10 each. They dropped to a 12-1 record.
The post MPBL: Pampanga pulls away late, hands Nueva Ecija’s first loss first appeared on Fastbreak.
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