MANILA – Pampanga Giant Lanterns pulled off a great escape over Bacoor City Strikers, 68-65, in Game 2 of the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League Finals at the Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center in Pampanga.
Archie Concepcion stepped up with 13 points, including nine in the fourth quarter, to go with eight rebounds and one assist as the Giant Lanterns took a 2-0 lead in the best-of-five championship series.
Concepcion came alive in the fourth quarter as he drilled back-to-back three-pointers to turn a 53-56 deficit to a 59-56 lead for the Giant Lanterns. The Strikers, however, responded with their own shots to force a deadlock at 61-all.
The Giant Lanterns regained a 64-61 edge on a layup and split free throw from Concepcion before Michael Garcia and Encho Serrano scored back-to-back layups to widen Pampanga’s lead to 68-61.
Bacoor City responded with a layup from Mark Yee and two free throws from Jhan Nermal to cut the deficit to 65-68. They still had a chance to force an overtime but James Kwekuteye missed his three-point attempt at the buzzer.
“Two games na sobrang bad ang laro ko, then nitong first half sobrang sama din ng laro ko, pero sabi sa akin ni coach Delta (Pineda) tiwala lang ako and bumawi,” Concepcion said.
Justine Baltazar, who was awarded the MPBL Most Valuable Player winner, chipped in a double-double of 13 points and 13 rebounds to go with six assists and one steal for the Giant Lanterns.
Pampanga can capture their first-ever MPBL championship in Game 3 this Saturday at the STRIKE Gym in Bacoor City, Cavite.
“Ngayong isang laro na lang kami sa championship, siguro mag-stick lang kami sa game plan ni coach Delta, uunahin naming ‘yung depensa, magtiwala sa isa’t isa at enjoyin ‘yung game,” Concepcion said.
Kwekuteye top-scored with 16 points, including five three-point conversions, while Chito Jaime and Yvan Ludovice chipped in 12 and 11 markers, respectively, for the Strikers./PN
BOX SCORE:
PAMPANGA 68 – Baltazar 13, Concepcion 13, Serrano 8, Clemente 7, Apolonio 7, Reyson 6, Garcia 5, Sangalang 3, Bahio 2, Tolentino 2, Liwag 2.
BACOOR 65 – Kwekuteye 16, Jaime 12, Ludovice 11, Lee Yu 8, Nermal 6, Eguilos 4, Yee 4, Jamito 3, Jeruta 1, Canete 0, Alday 0, Pasturan 0.
Quarterscores: 14-12, 33-29, 50-49, 68-65.
