The Pampanga Giant Lanterns overpowered the South Cotabato Warriors, 93-75, late Tuesday and cruised to the 2024 MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) Preseason Invitational title at the Lagao Gym in General Santos City.
Powered by Encho Serrano and Justine Baltazar, Pampanga stormed ahead, 81-48, early in the fourth quarter from which South Cotabato, formerly General Santos City, couldn’t recover.
Egged on by the hometown crowd, the Warriors bunched 13 points to trim the gap, 65-83, only for Baltazar to score inside and Serrano to nail back-to-back triples against a lone basket by John Wilson to seal the title, 91-67, for the reigning MPBL national champions.
Serrano wound up with 29 points and three rebounds to earn best player honors over Baltazar, who posted 23 points, 17 rebounds and three assists.
Prized acquisition Jeff Viernes and College of St. Benilde recruit Sonny Estil added eight points each while Jhaymo Eguilos and Rence Alcoriza chipped in 6 points each for the Giant Lanterns who ruled the boards, 55-39.
