MANILA – Justine Baltazar delivered another dominant performance as Pampanga Giant Lanterns cruised to an 88-49 victory over Iloilo United Royals in the 2024 MPBL season over the weekend at the Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center in Pampanga.
The incoming Converge FiberXers rookie had a near triple-double performance of 25 points, 10 rebounds, and six assists as the defending champions Pampanga moved up to a 22-1 win-loss slate.
Baltazar said the lopsided win became a good opportunity for the Giant Lanterns to use their other players as they prepare for the tougher matches in final weeks of the elimination round.
“Ginawa namin ‘yung best namin lalu na naglaro kami as a team,” Baltazar said during his Player of the Game interview. “’Yung mga next teams na makakalaban namin malalakas kaya hindi basta-basta, so malaking morale boost ang panalong ito.”
“Binigyan ng chance ng coaches ‘yung ibang teammates ko na makalaro para pagdating sa next games, mabigyan sila ng kumpiyansa,” added the reigning MPBL MVP.
MJ Garcia added 13 markers, seven rebounds, three assists, and two steals, while Archie Concepcion ended with nine markers as he became the latest player to reach the 1,000-point mark in the MPBL.
This was the defending MPBL champions’ 22nd consecutive victory, breaking the league’s previous record of 21-game winning run made by Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards.
Clint Doliguez tallied 13 points, while Ry dela Rosa added 11 markers for the United Royals (8-13), which remained shorthanded with the exit of PBA-bound CJ Cansino, Conrad Catapusan, and Mark Nonoy.
The United Royals look to return to their winning ways when they face Rizal XentroMall Golden Coolers at six in the evening on August 22 at the Bataan People’s Center in Orani, Bataan./PN
BOX SCORE:
PAMPANGA 88 — J. Baltazar 25, Garcia 13, Concepcion 9, Alcoriza 7, W. Baltazar 6, De Liaño 4, Flores 4, De Leon 4, Binuya 4, Viernes 3, Reyson 3, Serrano 2, Eguilos 2, Santos 2, Ramirez 0.
ILOILO 49 — Doliguez 13, Dela Rosa 11, Credo 7, F. Diaz 6, Capacio 4, Madrigal 2, Gomez 2, Ongteco 2, Rangel 2, Santos 0, J. Diaz 0, De Vera 0, Larupay 0.
Quarterscores: 28-9, 44-24, 58-37, 88-49.
