MANILA – Pampanga Delta completed its three-peat in the 2022 National Basketball League-Pilipinas President’s Cup via an 86-83 beating of Bulacan DF in Game 2 of the finals on Sunday at the Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center in San Fernando, Pampanga.
Justine Baltazar had a solid showing in his final game before going to Japan B.League to be hailed as Finals MVP after averaging 29.5 points, 18.5 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 3.0 steals, and 1.5 blocks in the series.
MJ Garcia led the way for Pampanga in Game 2 with 24 points, six assists, and six rebounds while Matt De Leon and Mark Tamayo chipped in 12 and 10 markers, respectively.
Unlike in their 101-91 Game 1 domination last Friday, Pampanga were pushed to the limit by Bulacan in the title-clinching game as they were down 77-78 midway in the fourth quarter.
Tamayo gave Pampanga the advantage at 80-78 after converting a three-pointer but it was quickly tied at 80-all by Bulacan courtesy of two free throws from Earnest Reyes with three minutes left.
Tamayo, however, reclaimed the upperhand anew for Pampanga at 83-80 with another booming triple at the 2:54 mark before they widened it to 85-80 with an inside basket from Garcia.
Marlon Monte tried to give life to Bulacan with a three-point conversion and they still had several opportunities to tie things up but the tight defense of Pampanga in the endgame sealed their championship.
“Wala talagang sigurado sa mga homegrown na liga and Bulacan gave us a good fight,” said Delta head coach Gov. Delta Pineda. “Kahit saang liga man kami mapunta, sisiguraduhin naming nasa taas ang ating probinsya.”
Monte finished with a near double-double 17 points and nine for the second placer Bulacan, while Reyes and Julius Lorenzo contributed 15 and 13 markers, respectively.
Pampanga were also victorious in the Under-19 category as they defeated SJDM Yengskivel in the finals, 85-70. Emeralds Academy ruled the Under-14 with a 69-43 beating of Pampanga./PN
