Dexter Maiquez lights it up for the Lanterns. —CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
With the way his team has been responding to the adversity in the Chooks-to-Go MPBL Lakan playoffs, Pampanga coach Bong Ramos feels the Giant Lanterns are ripe to challenge the reign of the defending champion San Juan Knights.
San Juan and Pampanga swept their respective series, after gutting out narrow wins in Game 2 in the North division quarterfinals last Thursday night at Angeles University Foundation in Angeles City, Pampanga.
“I think we’re ready to face San Juan,” said Ramos, whose team wobbled at the start, before picking up steam in the second half of the season.
“It’s been a long process for us to get to the level we are playing right now this season. It’s been a long season. But what’s important is we’ve developed the chemistry that we need to be successful.”
Even with the Risers putting up a gallant stand on enemy ground, the Giant Lanterns still pulled off an 83-80 triumph to complete the sweep in Game 2.
Former Rain or Shine forward Dexter Maiquez led Pampanga with points on 6-of-9 shooting.
The Knights also needed a strong fourth quarter to finish off the Voyagers, 72-67, earlier. San Juan bucked the absence of Larry Rodriguez in the final quarter as MVP frontrunner John Wilson wound up with 17 points and 17 rebounds.