Pampanga escapes Abra, reaches MPBL semifinals

Kurt Reyson turned from probable goat to hero on Wednesday as Pampanga survived Abra’s challenge, 66-55, and advanced to the North Division semifinal round in the MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) Sixth Season at the Nueva Ecija Coliseum in Pasay City.

The former Letran star flubbed his two free throws but got the offensive rebound for the deciding short jumper with 10.2 seconds left,  enabling the Pampanga Giant Lanterns to sweep the best-of-three series and stay on course of defending its MPBL national title.

Pampanga handily won Game One, 79-64, at its home court in San Fernando, only to encounter stubborn resistance from the Weavers.

Abra even had the chance to reverse the outcome, but Andres Desiderio missed a corner jumper at the buzzer.

Reigning MVP Justine Baltazar again shone for the Giant Lanterns with 14 points, 17 rebounds, 4 assists and 3 blocks to clinch the Daily Fantasy best player honors over Archie Concepcion, who notched 16 points, including 3 triples, and 4 rebounds.

Baltazar, whose imposing presence underneath made the Weavers momentarily forget about the charity shooter–Reyson–added the 1,000-rebound mark to his 1,000-point plateau achieved much earlier.

Homegrown MJ Garcia also delivered for Pampanga coach Gov. Dennis Pineda with 12 points and 6 assists.

Trailing, 60-64, Abra seized control following a triple by Sherwin Concepcion and a jumper by Ryan Batino with 22.5 seconds left.

Abra got 16 points plus 9 rebounds from Batino, 13 points plus 8 rebounds from Desiderio and 10 points plus 6 rebounds from Arvie Bringas.

Pineda said he expected the stiff resistance from Abra, adding that the road could only get rougher as the playoffs continue.

The Giant Lanterns will play the winner between Nueva Ecija and Pasay in the other quarterfinal series, which the Rice Vanguards lead, 1-0.