Exploiting his 6-foot-8 mobile frame, Baltazar posted averages of 17.4 points, 16. 9 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 1.2 blocks to lord it over other contenders like Jhan Nermal of the Bacoor Strikers, 3-point king Orlan Wamar of the San Juan Knights, Will McAloney of the Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards and last year’s MVP Jaycee Marcelino of Zamboanga Family’s Brand Sardines. If any consolation, Nermal, Wamar, McAloney and Marcelino joined the 26-year-old Baltazar, proud son of Mabalacat, in this year’s Mythical Team.

Baltazar, former star of the La Salle Green Archers who had an uneventful stint with the Hiroshima Dragonflies in the Japan B. League last year, also emerged No. 1 in field goal accuracy with 54.8 percent and minutes played with 31.1. What distinguished Baltazar, however, is his propensity for double-double (points and rebounds) performances, making 22 in one stretch en route to a total of 31 in 33 games. Named to the second five were Rob Celiz of Makati, Jheckster Apinan of Batangas, James Kwekuteye of Bacoor, Archie Concepcion of Pampanga and Ryan Paule Costelo of Pasig. Nermal, a former welder and construction worker from Kabankalan, Negros Occidental, also earned the Most Improved Player award.

Other standouts who were recognized at the overfilled Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center in San Fernando, Pampanga, were Adrian Nocum of San Juan as Rookie of the Year, Chris Masaglang of General Santos City as Best Homegrown and Estong Ballesteros of Pasig as Best Defensive Player. Highflyer Poypoy Actub of Imus was cited as Impact Player of the Year, drawing huge crowds with his aerial acrobatics, highlighted by a record seven-dunk binge against Bulacan in August. Nueva Ecija’s Jay-R Taganas received his third Sportsmanship award.

Completing the awardees was Executive of the Year Manuel Carlos “Goody” Ilagan, president and CEO of Camaya Coast Beach Properties which sponsors the Bataan Risers. MPBL Founder and CEO Manny Pacquiao awarded the MVP ball to Baltazar. Commissioner Kenneth Duremdes handed out the other awards. Executive Officer Joe Ramos and Legal Counsel Atty. Glenn Gacal also gave out awards.

The 6-foot-8 Baltazar, the MVP race pacesetter, poured 23 points on top of 20 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals and 1 block, while the 6-foot-5 Bahio posted 14 points, 11 rebounds, 4 blocks, 3 assists and 1 steal as the Giant Lanterns stretched their win streak to 14 at home and moved within a win of clinching their first division crown in the country’s top regional league.

The Giant Lanterns, being coached by Pampanga Gov. Dennis Pineda, will try to cut short their best-of-three series with the Knights at 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday at the FilOil Flying V Centre in San Juan.

Other Giant Lanterns who shone were Archie Concepcion with 11 points, Encho Serrano with 10 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists, and veteran Arwin Santos with with 8 points, including two clutch triples.

San Juan got 20 points from Marwin Taywan, 14 points from Orlan Wamar, 12 points plus 12 rebounds from Michael Calisaan, 11 points plus 11 rebounds from Adrian Nocum and 8 points plus 9 rebounds from Zachary Huang.

Back-to-back triples by Concepcion and Santos pushed Pampanga ahead, 74-64, but the Knights rallied and threatened at 82-85, following two free throws each from Taywan and Wamar, with 45 seconds to go.

The Knights couldn’t score from there, however, and MJ Garcia sealed the outcome by sinking the back end of his charities with 5.5 ticks left. Although San Juan buried the first basket, Pampanga responded with a 13-point cluster for what turned out to be the game’s biggest spread.

With Baltazar firing 13 points and grabbing 12 rebounds, Pampanga posted a 43-37 halftime lead. As Baltazar rested Bahio took charge in the third quarter and Pampanga stayed ahead, 61-58. Exploiting their taller ceiling, the Giant Lanterns ruled the boards, 54-42, especially on the offensive end (23-14).

“We know they (Knights) have the edge with their guards, so we took advantage of our height,” said Pineda, who expects another tough fight in Game 2. The MPBL South Division Finals. between Bacoor and Batangas begin at 7 p.m. on Monday at the Strike Gymnasium in Bacoor City.

Best player sa laro si Justine Baltazar, na napag-tala ng 22 points, 11 Rebounds at 5 assist para sa Lanterns.

Bagaman napanatili ng Pampanga ang malaking kalamangan nito sa kahabaan ng laro kagabi sa Caloocan Sports Complex, hindi pa rin nagpa-kampante ang Giant Lanterns para maka-abante sa semis.

Ayon kay Pampanga Giant Lanterns Coach at Pampanga Gov. Dennis Delta Pineda, naging susi rin sa kanilang pagkapanalo ang mahigpit na dipensa na ginawa kontra Marikina.

Hindi naman nag-laro kagabi si Emcho Serano para sa Pampanga dahil sa Flu.

Depende pa naman kung sino ang mananalo sa do or die game ng Pasig at Caloocan, kung anong koponan ang susunod na makakalaban ng Pampanga para sa semis.

In the opening round of the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) playoffs, the Pampanga Giant Lanterns lived up to their name as they outclassed the Marikina Shoemasters from the North Division, securing a resounding 82-70 victory.

Leading the charge for the Lanterns was Archie Concepcion, who showcased his prowess with an impressive performance, amassing 26 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists.

Arwind Santos, a highly anticipated addition to the team, managed to captivate fans with a buzzer-beating 3-pointer as the game drew to a close, contributing 4 points, 6 rebounds, and 1 steal in just 13 minutes and 16 seconds of playtime.

Pampanga Governor Dennis Delta Pineda, who also serves as the team’s coach, mentioned that Arwind Santos is still in the process of adapting to the team, explaining his limited playing time.

The Lanterns is currently in the process of integrating Santos into their lineup, and their future games will determine his role on the court.

With this win, the Lanterns take a 1-0 lead in the best-of-three series against the Shoemasters. Marikina will have an opportunity to level the series on October 13 (Friday) at the Caloocan Sports Complex in the second leg of the matchup against Pampanga.

The audience at the Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center (BZGCC) erupted in cheers as the Lanterns secured their convincing victory.

In another thrilling match last night, Pasig City clinched victory thanks to Gabby Espinas’ decisive game-winning shot.

Pasig narrowly defeated Caloocan with a final score of 71-69, with Espinas contributing 13 points, grabbing 12 rebounds, and recording 4 assists during the game. -JO SALAZAR

Ito ay nakumpirma matapos ang laban ni Finnegan sa World Artistic Gymnastics Championships sa Belgium.

Ang 20-year-old gymnast ay isa sa 14 highest-ranked eligible gymnasts. Nag-compile ito ng kabuuang 51.366 puntos sa apat na apparatus.

Umiskor siya ng 13.400 sa vault, 12.433 sa mga bar, 12.700 sa balance beam, at 12.833 sa floor exercise upang matapos ang ika-32 sa 117 na kakumpitensya nito.

Nakuha ni obiena ang 5.90 metro sa men’s pole vault finals, na sinira ang record ni Seito Yamamoto ng Japan na 5.70 meters noong 2018 Asian Games sa Jakarta, Indonesia.

Sina Huang Bokai ng China at Hussain Asim Al Hizam ng Saudi Arabia ang nakakuha ng silver at bronze medals, na parehong nag-clear ng 5.65 meters.

Binati naman ni Pangulong Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr. si Obiena sa pagkapanalo nito.

Maliban kay EJ ay binati din ng Pangulo ang iba lang atletang pilipino na naguwi ng medalya mula sa Asian Games tulad nila Patrick King Perez, Jones Inso, Gideon Ladua, Clemente Tabugara Jr., Alex Eala at Francis Casey Alcantara.