Both Pampanga and Bacoor are expecting nothing but a dogfight when they duke it out in the National Finals of the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League set to fire off on Saturday, Nov. 25.

The Giant Lanterns and the Strikers are getting their first shot at possibly winning their very first MPBL title, so both the players and coaches are surely giving their all in the best-of-five affair.

Pampanga, of course, is holding the home court advantage with the first two games happening at the Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center in San Fernando City before the series moves on to the Bacoor City Strike Gymnasium for the Games 3 and 4. 

Should the series go the distance, Game 5 will take place at the Giant Lanterns’ home turf.

Admittedly inferior in terms of talent against Pampanga which features the dynamic duo of Justine Baltazar and Encho Serrano, Strikers head coach Alex Angeles is banking on what led them to the Finals – and that is their defense.

“Ang lagi naming pini-preach namin sa isa’t isa ay talagang yung defense namin kahit anong mangyari yun yung nagdala sa amin sa kung saan kami ngayon stick pa rin kami doon,” said Angeles during the MPBL Finals press conference at the Bodega Kitchen and Bar in Makati City on Wednesday, Nov. 22.

Task might be daunting but they certainly have the pieces to slow down Baltazar and Co. with veteran Mark Yee, Jhan Nermal and James Kwukuteye leading the charge.

Despite being the favorites, the Giant Lanterns are refusing to be complacent, knowing full well that the Strikers are capable of pulling off an upset.

“This championship is anybody’s ball game. Yung mga games natin sa playoffs sa eliminations baliwala na iyan,” said Pampanga consultant Allan Trinidad who attended in lieu of head coach Delta Pineda.

“Ang preparation natin ngayon against our opponents nalang gagawin namin lahat kung anong advantage namin, yung disadvantage. we will prepare for the best,” he added.