2024 MPBL finals

Last updated

2024 MPBL finals
TeamCoachWins
Pampanga Giant Lanterns Dennis Pineda 3
Quezon Huskers Eric Gonzales 0
DatesDecember 1–7, 2024
MVP Justine Baltazar
Northern finals Pampanga def. San Juan, 2–0
Southern finals Quezon def. Batangas City, 2–1
  2023 MPBL finals

The 2024 MPBL finals was the championship series of the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League's (MPBL) 2024 season and the conclusion of the season's playoffs. In the best-of-five playoff, the North Division champion Pampanga Giant Lanterns defeated the South Division champion Quezon Huskers to become the first team in the league to win two championships and to do so in back-to-back seasons. The series began on December 1 and ended on December 7.

Contents

The league played the first two games of the series in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, marking the first time a Philippine basketball league will play its championship series overseas. The league then returned home for the remainder of the series, where Pampanga, being the team with the higher regular season record, had homecourt advantage. [1]

For the second time in a row, both teams featured will be based in Luzon but not Metro Manila. In addition, this will also be second time overall that a returning finalist or former champion will be featured, as well as the second time that one of the finalists is not a first seed in their respective division.

Background

International games

The first two games of the series will be played in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, aiming to attract the country's large Filipino population, particularly in Dubai. The MPBL previously played two regular season games in Dubai in 2019 for their inaugural International Invasion series at Hamdan Sports Complex. [2] This time, the league's international games will take place at the Rashid Bin Hamdan Indoor Hall and will be organized by DJMC, the same group behind the previous leg of Dubai games. [1] [3]

Pampanga Giant Lanterns

Pampanga star player Justine Baltazar was drafted by the Converge FiberXers mid-season, effectively making this his last stint with PGL before moving to the PBA. Justine Baltazar.jpg
Pampanga star player Justine Baltazar was drafted by the Converge FiberXers mid-season, effectively making this his last stint with PGL before moving to the PBA.

The Pampanga Giant Lanterns entered the 2024 season as defending champions, having beaten the Bacoor City Strikers in last season's finals. The team kept their star players including Justine Baltazar, Encho Serrano, and Archie Concepcion heading into their title defense, and also won the Preseason Invitational in February. The Giant Lanterns suffered an early defeat when they lost to the Rizal Golden Coolers in their first game of the season, but were able to win a record 23 straight regular season games afterwards. The team was able to match their 26–2 record from last season, but only finished as the second seed due to having lost their regular season game against the San Juan Knights later down the line. In the playoffs, Pampanga once again swept their opponents on their way to the national stage, beating the expansion Abra Weavers in the division quarterfinals, [5] their Central Luzon rival Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards in the division semifinals, [6] [7] and ultimately defeating first-seeded San Juan all in two games to win their second division title. [8] [9]

Pampanga became the first team since the 2020 San Juan Knights to clinch back-to-back division championships. Should they win the series, the Giant Lanterns will become the first two-time champions and the first to do so in back-to-back seasons.

Quezon Huskers

The Quezon Huskers entered the 2024 season coming off a division quarterfinals loss to the Zamboanga Family's Brand Sardines last season. The team acquired the likes of Ljay Gonzales and former league MVP Gab Banal as the team managed to go undefeated for sixteen games, but then went on a slump, going 5–7 in their last twelve games of the season. Despite that, the Huskers held on to the top seed of the South Division after improving to a 21–7 record. The Huskers cruised through the first two rounds, beating both the Negros Muscovados and the Parañaque Patriots in two games before meeting the Batangas City Tanduay Rum Masters in the division finals. [10] [11] Quezon first lost game 1 and were on the verge of being eliminated in game 2 before going on a scoring run in the final minutes of the game, culminating in a game-winning tip-in by Jason Opiso to force game 3. [12] [13] [14] The Huskers tied the series and went on to win the do-or-die game 3 to clinch their first division championship. [15] [16]

Quezon became the first professional era expansion team to reach the national finals and the third Calabarzon-based team to do so, after Batangas City in 2018 and Bacoor City in 2023. Should they win the series, the Huskers will become the second Calabarzon-based team to win the league title, also after Batangas City in 2018.

Road to the finals

Pampanga Giant Lanterns (North Division champion) Quezon Huskers (South Division champion)
PosTeamPldWLGB
1 San Juan Knights 2826 [a] 2
2 Pampanga Giant Lanterns 2826 [a] 2
3 Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards 282442
4 Manila Batang Sampaloc 282086
5 Caloocan Batang Kankaloo 281997
6 Pasay Voyagers 2818 [b] 108
7 Abra Weavers 2818 [b] 108
8 Rizal Golden Coolers 2815 [c] 1311
9 Quezon City Toda Aksyon 2815 [c] 1311
10 Valenzuela Classic 28141412
11 Pangasinan Heatwaves 28121614
12 Bataan Risers 2891917
13 Marikina Shoemasters 2872119
14 Bulacan Kuyas 2822624
WD Tarlac United Force [d] 00012
Source: Standings
Notes:
  1. 1 2 San Juan wins tiebreaker over Pampanga based on head-to-head record.
  2. 1 2 Pasay wins tiebreaker over Abra based on head-to-head record.
  3. 1 2 Rizal wins tiebreaker over Quezon City based on head-to-head record.
  4. The Tarlac United Force was pulled out by the league due to the team's failure to comply with financial obligations.
Regular season
PosTeamPldWLGB
1 Quezon Huskers 28217
2 Batangas City Tanduay Rum Masters 2820 [a] 81
3 Biñan Tatak Gel 2820 [a] 81
4 Zamboanga Master Sardines 2820 [a] 81
5 Parañaque Patriots 2817 [b] 114
6 South Cotabato Warriors 2817 [b] 114
7 Davao Occidental Tigers 2815136
8 Negros Muscovados 2812169
9 Iloilo United Royals 28111710
10 Mindoro Tamaraws 28101811
11 Muntinlupa Cagers 2872114
12 Sarangani Marlins 2852316
13 Bicolandia Oragons 2832518
14 Imus Agimat 2822619
15 Bacolod City of Smiles 2812720
Source: Standings
Notes:
  1. 1 2 3 Batangas City (1.132), Biñan (0.950), and Zamboanga (0.931) are ranked based on head-to-head point quotient.
  2. 1 2 Parañaque wins tiebreaker over South Cotabato based on head-to-head record.
Defeated 7th-seeded Abra Weavers, 2–0Division quarterfinalsDefeated 8th-seeded Negros Muscovados, 2–0
Defeated 3rd-seeded Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards, 2–0Division semifinalsDefeated 5th-seeded Parañaque Patriots, 2–0
Defeated 1st-seeded San Juan Knights, 2–0Division finalsDefeated 2nd-seeded Batangas City Tanduay Rum Masters, 2–1

Head-to-head matchup

September 14
08:00 pm
Pampanga Giant Lanterns 7569 Quezon Huskers
Scoring by quarter:21–14, 20–19, 18–24, 16–12
Pts: Archie Concepcion 30
Rebs: Justine Baltazar 17
Asts: Justine Baltazar, Kurt Reyson 3
Pts: LJ Gonzales 13
Rebs: LJ Gonzales 8
Asts: Niño Ibañez 6

Series summary

For this year's national finals, the Pampanga Giant Lanterns will hold homecourt advantage for the series, as they hold a better regular season record compared to the Quezon Huskers (26–2 vs. 21–7).

GameDateWinning teamResult
(Series)
Losing teamVenue
1December 1Pampanga Giant Lanterns88–71
(1–0)
Quezon Huskers Flag of the United Arab Emirates.svg Rashid Bin Hamdan Indoor Hall
2December 3Pampanga Giant Lanterns79–60
(2–0)
Quezon Huskers Flag of the United Arab Emirates.svg Rashid Bin Hamdan Indoor Hall
3December 7Pampanga Giant Lanterns65–61
(3–0)
Quezon Huskers Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center

Game summaries

NOTE: All times are Philippine Standard Time (UTC+8:00). Games in the UAE are also listed in Gulf Standard Time (UTC+4:00).

Game 1

December 1
11:00 p.m. (7:00 p.m. GST)
Pampanga Giant Lanterns 8871 Quezon Huskers
Scoring by quarter:24–20, 23–15, 23–23, 18–13
Pts: Justine Baltazar 24
Rebs: Justine Baltazar 16
Asts: Michael John Garcia 8
Pts: Rodel Gravera 20
Rebs: Christian Buñag, Judel Ric Fuentes 6
Asts: Mon Abundo 7
Pampanga leads series, 1–0
Rashid Bin Hamdan Indoor Hall, Dubai
Referees: A. Manzano, C. Pingul Jr., M. Binay

Game 2

December 3
11:00 p.m. (7:00 p.m. GST)
Quezon Huskers 6079 Pampanga Giant Lanterns
Scoring by quarter: 18–22, 14–25, 10–16, 18–16
Pts: Judel Ric Fuentes 12
Rebs: Rodel Gravera 11
Asts: Mon Abundo 4
Pts: Kurt Reyson 20
Rebs: Justine Baltazar 19
Asts: Kurt Reyson 7
Pampanga leads series, 2–0
Rashid Bin Hamdan Indoor Hall, Dubai

Game 3

December 7
7:00 p.m.
Pampanga Giant Lanterns 6561 Quezon Huskers
Scoring by quarter:12–8, 18–19, 16–20, 19–14
Pts: Justine Baltazar, Archie Concepcion 19
Rebs: Justine Baltazar 19
Asts: Michael John Garcia 5
Pts: Judel Ric Fuentes 21
Rebs: RJ Minerva 8
Asts: Ximone Sandagon, Alfrancis Tamsi 2
Pampanga wins series, 3–0

Rosters

2024 Pampanga Giant Lanterns roster
PlayersCoaches
Pos.No.NameHeightWeightDOBFrom
G/F 2 Concepcion, Archie  (HG)6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)189 lb (86 kg) Arellano
G 3 Gomez de Liaño, Joe 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
F 6 Baltazar, Wilson  (HG)6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
F/C 8 Eguilos, Jhaymo 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)190 lb (86 kg)1986–08–27 Far Eastern
G 11 Garcia, MJ  (HG)6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)SPCF
G 13 Reyson, Kurt 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) Letran
G/F 15 Alcoriza, Rence Luis 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) Arellano
G/F 18 Serrano, Encho  (HG)6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)176 lb (80 kg)1999–09–18 De La Salle
F/C 19 Baltazar, Justine  (HG)6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)250 lb (113 kg)1997–02–19 De La Salle
F 21 Gozum, Martin  (HG)6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
C 22 Santos, Ronan  (HG)6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) Arellano
C 25 De Leon, Matt  (HG)6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) Arellano
F 26 Flores, Lervin 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)185 lb (84 kg)1992–09–26 Arellano
F 29 Ramirez, Brandon  (HG)6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
G 30 Binuya, Raymond  (HG)5 ft 8 in (1.73 m) San Sebastian
G 74 Viernes, Jeff 5 ft 7 in (1.70 m)143 lb (65 kg)1989–05–18 St. Clare
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)
  • Manuel Luis Marquez
  • Billy Bansil
  • Jordan Viray
  • Camille Istle Santos
  • Jay Sierra

Legend
  • (HG) Homegrown
  • (FF) Filipino-foreigner
  • (SGL) Special Guest Licensee
  • (RS) Reserve player
  • Cruz Roja.svg Injured

Updated as of: July 2, 2024
2024 Quezon Huskers roster
PlayersCoaches
Pos.No.NameHeightWeightDOBFrom
G/F 1 Roño, Robin National-U
G/F 2 Fuentes, Judel Ric 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) Centro Escolar
F 4 Salonga, Rafael  (HG)
F/C 5 Sandagon, Ximone  (HG) Far Eastern
F 6 Placino, Bryant  (HG)
G/F 7 Matillano, Domark
G/F 10 Alcala, Mark  (HG) De La Salle
F 12 Gravera, Rodel  (HG) Far Eastern
G 13 Gonzales, Ljay 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) Far Eastern
G/F 14 Torres, Xyrus 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)2000-09-23 Far Eastern
F/C 15 Gozum, Will  Cruz Roja.svg6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)205 lb (93 kg)1999–04–08 St. Benilde
F 17 Opiso, Jason Centro Escolar
G 18 Torres, Thomas 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)1994–10–27 De La Salle
G 20 Lagrama, Christopher  (HG)
F 24 Minerva, RJ National-U
G/F 25 Tamsi, Al Francis 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)158 lb (72 kg)1992–03–25 Far Eastern
G 29 Abundo, Alvin 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)150 lb (68 kg)1992–10–29 Centro Escolar
F/C 34 Canon, Lander
F/C 41 Saitanan, Jessie 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)200 lb (91 kg)1992–10–07 Mapúa
F 44 Marasigan, Felipe  (HG) St. Benilde
F/C 55 Buñag, Christian
F 77 Banal, Gab 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)200 lb (91 kg)1990–09–09 Mapúa
G/F 99 Ibañez, Niño
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)

Legend
  • (HG) Homegrown
  • (FF) Filipino-foreigner
  • (SGL) Special Guest Licensee
  • (RS) Reserve player
  • Cruz Roja.svg Injured

Updated as of: April 20, 2024

Broadcasting

This will be the third national finals series under Cignal TV's broadcast deal. The games will be broadcast on television via Media Pilipinas TV (MPTV) and will also be streamed on Pilipinas Live and the league's social media channels.

GameMedia Pilipinas TV (MPTV)
Play-by-play Analyst Courtside reporters
1Cedelf TupasMike PerezAndrea Endicio and Mica Abesamis
2Cedelf TupasMike PerezAndrea Endicio and Mica Abesamis
3Migs GomezJavi PalañaAndrea Endicio and Mica Abesamis

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