MANILA – Pampanga-ADG Group of Companies Giant Lanterns survived the late rally of 1Bataan Risers-Camaya Coast for a 71-64 win in Game 1 of their 2019-20 Chooks-to-Go/Maharlika Philippines Basketball League Lakan Season best-of-three quarterfinals at the San Juan Arena on Feb. 15.
Levi Hernandez spearheaded the victory with 18 points to go along with five rebounds, while Reil Cervantes and Jeric Fabian added 13 and 10 markers, respectively, for the Giant Lanterns to notch its ninth consecutive victory that dates back to the eliminations round.
Pampanga went on a 17-0 run at the start of the game with Hernandez, Cervantes and Mark Cruz leading the charge. The Giant Lanterns sustained the lead in the second period, and it even went up to as high as 30 points, 48-18, off a lay-in from Fabian.
The Risers, however, clawed its way back in the second half behind veteran Reed Juntilla to come to as close as 58-64 in the fourth period. Unfortunately for them, Hernandez and Cruz drained shots for the Giant Lanterns to quell the run.
“Nag-relax. Well, actually ‘yun ‘yung sinasabi ko na it can’t happen. Buti na lang may puhunan kami. I’m still happy the way that we played,” said Giant Lanterns head coach Bong Ramos.
Bataan’s Alfred Batino finished with 19 points, Gino Jumao-as tallied 12 marks, six rebounds, and four assists, while Juntilla poured eight of his 10 points in the Risers’ final run./PN
