MANILA – Pampanga Giant Lanterns rode on the hot hands of Kurt Reyson as they cruised to a 71-58 victory over Bacoor City Strikers in Game 1 of the MPBL Finals on Saturday night at the Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center in Pampanga.
Reyson, who rejoined the Giant Lanterns after finishing his stint with the Colegio de San Juan de Letran Knights in the NCAA last Friday, supplied 22 points, on a perfect 4-of-4 three-point shooting, as they took a 1-0 lead in the best-of-five titular showdown.
According to Reyson, he spent the past few days re-learning the system of the Giant Lanterns after being away from the team since the start of NCAA Season 99 men’s basketball tournament last September.
“Matagal tagal din akong hindi nakasama sa Pampanga kaya naghabol talaga ako nitong past few days, and nagbunga naman ang paghihirap namin kasi nakuha namin ang Game 1,” Reyson said.
Pampanga were on fire in the opening quarter as they established a 21-7 advantage, but the visiting Bacoor City showed some life in the second frame for a 38-28 score at the half.
The Strikers pulled even closer at 35-42 midway through the third quarter before the Giant Lanterns went on a huge run behind Reyson, Allen Liwag and Justine Baltazar for a 52-37 lead.
Tensions arose inside the playing venue after Giant Lanterns threw mineral water bottles on the floor after Strikers’ Lester Reyes committed a hard foul by planting an elbow on the head of Baltazar.
The Giant Lanterns, however, were not affected by the incident as they maintained the double-digit lead the rest of the way behind the late conversions from Baltazar and Reyson.
“Heading into the Game 2, siguro, gagawa kami ng adjustment kasi may mga teammates kami na medyo nag-struggle. Need din namin makuha ang Game 2 kasi homecourt pa namin,” Reyson said.
Jhaymo Eguilos top-scored for the Strikers with 16 points to go with five rebounds, while Jhan Nermal also ended up with 16 points, mostly in the second half, to go with four rebounds, two steals and one assist./PN
BOX SCORE:
PAMPANGA 71 – Reyson 22, Baltazar 13, Bahio 8, Concepcion 7, Garcia 6, Clemente 6, Serrano 5, Liwag 4, Sangalang 0, Tolentino 0, Santos 0, Binuya 0.
BACOOR 58 – Eguilos 16, Nermal 16, Jaime 8, Ludovice 7, Jeruta 4, Lee Yu 3, Yee 2, Kwekuteye 2, Villoria 0, Canete 0, Alday 0, Jamito 0, Pasturan 0, Reyes 0.
Quarterscores: 21-7, 38-28, 53-37, 71-58.
