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2024 Pampanga Giant Lanterns season

{{Short description|Fifth season of the franchise in the MPBL}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2025}}

{{Use Philippine English|date=January 2025}}

{{Infobox MPBL season

| MPBLyear = 2024

| team = Pampanga Giant Lanterns

| team2 = Pampanga Giant Lanterns

| ChampionshipWin = y

| DivisionWin = y

| misc =

| coach = Dennis Pineda (de facto)
Frederick Dimatulac (acting)

| arena = Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center
AUF Sports and Cultural Center

| wins = 26

| losses = 2

| division_place = 2

| division = North

| playoffs = MPBL champions
{{small|(won vs. Quezon, 3–0)}}

| owners =

| television =

| radio =

| prevseason = 2023

| nextseason = 2025

}}

The 2024 Pampanga Giant Lanterns season was the fifth season of the Pampanga-based franchise in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) and their third season in San Fernando.

The Giant Lanterns entered this season as defending champions having beaten the Bacoor City Strikers in the 2023 MPBL finals. The team kept its star players in Justine Baltazar, Encho Serrano, and Archie Concepcion. After winning the 2024 Preseason Invitational, the team shockingly lost the first game of its title defense to the Rizal Golden Coolers.{{Cite web |date=2024-04-10 |title=MPBL: Paranaque thwarts Manila; Rizal stuns Pampanga |url=https://www.philstar.com/sports/2024/04/10/2346666/mpbl-paranaque-thwarts-manila-rizal-stuns-pampanga |access-date=2025-01-10 |website=Philstar.com}} The team then went on a 23-game winning streak that lasted from April 15 to August 26, giving them the longest regular season winning streak in league history.{{Cite web |date=2024-08-17 |title=NEW RECORD ALERT |url=https://www.facebook.com/mpblofficialph/posts/pfbid0oFW281ZeasypixEQVsaLL5YLFFSKHtgFGg7ATQouGUTvGho577wEh3sfSibV7BNvl |access-date=2024-08-17 |publisher=Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League |via=Facebook}} PGL finished the regular season tied for the best regular season record at 26–2, once again tying the record for most regular season wins.{{Cite web |date=2024-09-15 |title=Pampanga ends MPBL elims with big win over Quezon Province |url=https://www.spin.ph/basketball/mpbl/pampanga-ends-mpbl-elims-with-big-win-over-quezon-province-a1373-20240915 |access-date=2025-01-10 |website=Spin.ph |language=en}} The team entered as the North Division's second seed, only behind the San Juan Knights who gave the Giant Lanterns their only other loss on August 30.{{Cite web |date=2024-08-30 |title=San Juan Knights put an end to Pampanga's 23-game win streak |url=https://www.spin.ph/basketball/mpbl/san-juan-knights-end-pampanga-giant-lanterns-23-win-streak-a1373-20240830 |access-date=2025-01-10 |website=Spin.ph |language=en}}

They continued their winning prowess in the playoffs, sweeping the expansion Abra Weavers and their region rival Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards before once again taking on San Juan in the division finals.{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2024-10-17 |title=Kurt Reyson's last-second heroics lift Pampanga over Abra, secures MPBL North semis spot |url=https://tiebreakertimes.com.ph/tbt/kurt-reysons-last-second-heroics-lift-pampanga-over-abra-secures-mpbl-north-semis-spot/316799 |access-date=2024-11-18 |website=Tiebreaker Times |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=2024-10-31 |title=Pampanga nips Nueva Ecija in OT, meets San Juan in MPBL North finals |url=https://www.philstar.com/campus/sports/2024/10/31/2396640/pampanga-nips-nueva-ecija-ot-meets-san-juan-mpbl-north-finals |access-date=2024-10-31 |website=Philstar.com}}{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2024-10-31 |title=Pampanga survives Nueva Ecija in OT, sets up MPBL North Finals clash vs San Juan |url=https://tiebreakertimes.com.ph/tbt/pampanga-survives-nueva-ecija-in-ot-sets-up-mpbl-north-finals-clash-vs-san-juan/318282 |access-date=2024-10-31 |website=Tiebreaker Times |language=en-US}} After sweeping San Juan in two games, they faced off against the Quezon Huskers in the 2024 MPBL finals.{{Cite web |date=2024-11-13 |title=Pampanga makes national finals |url=https://www.philstar.com/sports/2024/11/13/2399664/pampanga-makes-national-finals |access-date=2024-11-18 |website=Philstar.com}}{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2024-11-12 |title=Pampanga sweeps San Juan, advances to MPBL Nationals with Dubai showdown awaiting |url=https://tiebreakertimes.com.ph/tbt/pampanga-sweeps-san-juan-advances-to-mpbl-nationals-with-dubai-showdown-awaiting/319457 |access-date=2024-11-18 |website=Tiebreaker Times |language=en-US}} Their dominant form throughout the season carried on, as they swept the Huskers in three games to become the league's first back-to-back champions, doing so at home.{{cite news |date=December 7, 2024 |title=Pampanga sweeps Quezon to claim back-to-back MPBL championships |url=https://www.spin.ph/basketball/-a1373-20241207 |access-date=December 7, 2024 |work=spin.ph}}

The team played most of their home games this season at Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center, with one home game played at their previous home, AUF Sports and Cultural Center in Angeles City.

Roster

{{MPBL roster header

| team = Pampanga Giant Lanterns

| season = 2024

}}

{{player2 | num = 2 | first = Archie | last = Concepcion | pos = G/F | ft = 6 | in = 2 | lbs = 189 | college = Arellano | DOB = | note = HG }}

{{player2 | num = 3 | first = Joe | last = Gomez de Liaño | pos = G | ft = 6 | in = 2 | lbs = | college = | DOB = }}

{{player2 | num = 6 | first = Wilson | last = Baltazar | pos = F | ft = 6 | in = 3 | college = | note = HG }}

{{player2 | num = 8 | first = Jhaymo | last = Eguilos | pos = F/C | ft = 6 | in = 6 | lbs = 190 | DOB = 1986–08–27 | college = Far Eastern }}

{{player2 | num = 11 | first = MJ | last = Garcia | pos = G | ft = 6 | in = 0 | college = SPCF | note = HG }}

{{player2 | num = 13 | first = Kurt | last = Reyson | pos = G | ft = 5 | in = 10 | college = Letran }}

{{player2 | num = 15 | first = Rence Luis | last = Alcoriza | pos = G/F | ft = 6 | in = 0 | lbs = | college = Arellano | DOB = }}

{{player2 | num = 18 | first = Encho | last = Serrano | pos = G/F | ft = 6 | in = 0 | lbs = 176 | college = DLSU | DOB = 1999–09–18 | note = HG }}

{{player2 | num = 19 | first = Justine | last = Baltazar | pos = F/C | ft = 6 | in = 8 | lbs = 250 | DOB = 1997–02–19 | college = DLSU | note = HG }}

{{player2 | num = 21 | first = Martin | last = Gozum | pos = F | ft = 6 | in = 2 | college = | DOB = | note = HG }}

{{player2 | num = 22 | first = Ronan | last = Santos | ft = 6 | in = 7 | pos = C | college = Arellano | note = HG }}

{{player2 | num = 25 | first = Matt | last = De Leon | ft = 6 | in = 7 | pos = C | college = Arellano | note = HG }}

{{player2 | num = 26 | first = Lervin | last = Flores | pos = F | ft = 6 | in = 5 | lbs = 185 | college = Arellano | DOB = 1992–09–26 }}

{{player2 | num = 29 | first = Brandon | last = Ramirez | pos = F | ft = 6 | in = 5 | lbs = | college = | DOB = | note = HG }}

{{player2 | num = 30 | first = Raymond | last = Binuya | pos = G | ft = 5 | in = 8 | lbs = | college = San Sebastian | note = HG }}

{{player2 | num = 74 | first = Jeff | last = Viernes | pos = G | ft = 5 | in = 7 | lbs = 143 | college = St. Clare | DOB = 1989–05–18 }}

{{MPBL roster footer

| head_coach =

| asst_coach =

  • Manuel Luis Marquez
  • Billy Bansil
  • Jordan Viray
  • Camille Istle Santos
  • Jay Sierra

| roster_url = https://mpbl.web.geniussports.com/competitions/?WHurl=%2Fcompetition%2F38108%2Fteam%2F95560%2Froster Roster – via Genius Sports

}}

Preseason

Pampanga was one of eight teams that took part in the 2024 MPBL Preseason Invitational. In their first appearance in the preseason tournament, Pampanga won every game on their way to winning the Invitational title, where they beat the South Cotabato Warriors in the final game,

= Schedule =

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"

! colspan=8 style="{{MPBL color cell|Pampanga Giant Lanterns}};" | 2024 Pampanga Giant Lanterns Preseason Invitational schedule
Total: 5–0

style="{{MPBL color cell2|Pampanga Giant Lanterns}};" | Stage

! style="{{MPBL color cell2|Pampanga Giant Lanterns}};" | Game

! style="{{MPBL color cell2|Pampanga Giant Lanterns}};" | Date

! style="{{MPBL color cell2|Pampanga Giant Lanterns}};" | Opponent

! style="{{MPBL color cell2|Pampanga Giant Lanterns}};" | Score

! style="{{MPBL color cell2|Pampanga Giant Lanterns}};" | Location

! style="{{MPBL color cell2|Pampanga Giant Lanterns}};" | Record

! style="{{MPBL color cell2|Pampanga Giant Lanterns}};" | Recap

style="background:#cfc"

! rowspan=3 | Group stage

! 1

| February 22

Quezon CityW 73–68Lagao Gymnasium1–0

| [https://mpbl.web.geniussports.com/competitions/?WHurl=%2Fcompetition%2F38050%2Fmatch%2F2410914%2Fboxscore%3F Recap]

style="background:#cfc"

! 2

| February 23

ValenzuelaW 103–80Lagao Gymnasium2–0

| [https://mpbl.web.geniussports.com/competitions/?WHurl=%2Fcompetition%2F38050%2Fmatch%2F2410917%2Fboxscore%3F Recap]

style="background:#cfc"

! 3

| February 24

GenSan BulalakawW 109–75Lagao Gymnasium3–0

| [https://mpbl.web.geniussports.com/competitions/?WHurl=%2Fcompetition%2F38050%2Fmatch%2F2410923%2Fboxscore%3F Recap]

style="background:#cfc"

! rowspan=2 | Playoffs

! SF

| February 25

Batangas CityW 78–59Lagao Gymnasium4–0

| [https://mpbl.web.geniussports.com/competitions/?WHurl=%2Fcompetition%2F38050%2Fmatch%2F2418705%2Fboxscore%3F Recap]

style="background:#cfc"

! F

| February 27

South CotabatoW 93–75Lagao Gymnasium5–0

| [https://mpbl.web.geniussports.com/competitions/?WHurl=%2Fcompetition%2F38050%2Fmatch%2F2419009%2Fboxscore%3F Recap]

colspan=8 align=center | Source: [https://mpbl.web.geniussports.com/competitions/?WHurl=%2Fcompetition%2F38050%2Fteam%2F95560%2Fschedule Schedule]

Regular season

= Standings =

{{2024 MPBL North Division standings|showteam=PAM|show_limit=5}}

= Schedule =

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"

! colspan=7 style="{{MPBL color cell|Pampanga Giant Lanterns}};" | 2024 Pampanga Giant Lanterns regular season schedule
Total: 26–2 (Home: 12–0; Road: 11–2; Neutral: 3–0)

style="{{MPBL color cell2|Pampanga Giant Lanterns}};" | Game

! style="{{MPBL color cell2|Pampanga Giant Lanterns}};" | Date

! style="{{MPBL color cell2|Pampanga Giant Lanterns}};" | Opponent

! style="{{MPBL color cell2|Pampanga Giant Lanterns}};" | Score

! style="{{MPBL color cell2|Pampanga Giant Lanterns}};" | Location

! style="{{MPBL color cell2|Pampanga Giant Lanterns}};" | Record

! style="{{MPBL color cell2|Pampanga Giant Lanterns}};" | Recap

style="background:#fcc"

! 1

| April 9

RizalL 71–78Villar Coliseum (N)0–1

| [https://mpbl.web.geniussports.com/competitions/?WHurl=%2Fcompetition%2F38108%2Fmatch%2F2421273%2Fboxscore%3F Recap]

style="background:#cfc"

! 2

| April 15

MarikinaW 85–86Ynares Center (N)1–1

| [https://mpbl.web.geniussports.com/competitions/?WHurl=%2Fcompetition%2F38108%2Fmatch%2F2421309%2Fboxscore%3F Recap]

style="background:#cfc"

! 3

| April 22

MindoroW 96–72Alonte Sports Arena (N)2–1

| [https://mpbl.web.geniussports.com/competitions/?WHurl=%2Fcompetition%2F38108%2Fmatch%2F2421529%2Fboxscore%3F Recap]

style="background:#cfc"

! 4

| April 26

BicolandiaW 128–93Alonte Sports Arena (N)3–1

| [https://mpbl.web.geniussports.com/competitions/?WHurl=%2Fcompetition%2F38108%2Fmatch%2F2429859%2Fboxscore%3F Recap]

style="background:#cfc"

! 5

| May 2

Quezon CityW 63–44Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center (H)4–1

| [https://mpbl.web.geniussports.com/competitions/?WHurl=%2Fcompetition%2F38108%2Fmatch%2F2432928%2Fboxscore%3F Recap]

style="background:#cfc"

! 6

| May 7

MuntinlupaW 83–62Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center (H)5–1

| [https://mpbl.web.geniussports.com/competitions/?WHurl=%2Fcompetition%2F38108%2Fmatch%2F2432938%2Fboxscore%3F Recap]

style="background:#cfc"

! 7

| May 13

BataanW 86–75Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center (H)6–1

| [https://mpbl.web.geniussports.com/competitions/?WHurl=%2Fcompetition%2F38108%2Fmatch%2F2432974%2Fboxscore%3F Recap]

style="background:#cfc"

! 8

| May 20

PasayW 70–65Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center (H)7–1

| [https://mpbl.web.geniussports.com/competitions/?WHurl=%2Fcompetition%2F38108%2Fmatch%2F2432992%2Fboxscore%3F Recap]

style="background:#cfc"

! 9

| May 27

ParañaqueW 77–59Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center (H)8–1

| [https://mpbl.web.geniussports.com/competitions/?WHurl=%2Fcompetition%2F38108%2Fmatch%2F2433009%2Fboxscore%3F Recap]

style="background:#cfc"

! 10

| June 1

SaranganiW 109–68Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center (H)9–1

| [https://mpbl.web.geniussports.com/competitions/?WHurl=%2Fcompetition%2F38108%2Fmatch%2F2440200%2Fboxscore%3F Recap]

style="background:#cfc"

! 11

| June 6

NegrosW 104–81Alonte Sports Arena (N)10–1

| [https://mpbl.web.geniussports.com/competitions/?WHurl=%2Fcompetition%2F38108%2Fmatch%2F2440214%2Fboxscore%3F Recap]

style="background:#cfc"

! 12

| June 12

Davao OccidentalW 81–47Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center (H)11–1

| [https://mpbl.web.geniussports.com/competitions/?WHurl=%2Fcompetition%2F38108%2Fmatch%2F2440508%2Fboxscore%3F Recap]

style="background:#cfc"

! 13

| June 18

ValenzuelaW 85–56Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center (H)12–1

| [https://mpbl.web.geniussports.com/competitions/?WHurl=%2Fcompetition%2F38108%2Fmatch%2F2440524%2Fboxscore%3F Recap]

style="background:#cfc"

! 14

| June 22

BulacanW 124–81Calasiao Sports Complex (N)13–1

| [https://mpbl.web.geniussports.com/competitions/?WHurl=%2Fcompetition%2F38108%2Fmatch%2F2440534%2Fboxscore%3F Recap]

style="background:#cfc"

! 15

| June 29

Nueva EcijaW 91–85Nueva Ecija Coliseum (A)14–1

| [https://mpbl.web.geniussports.com/competitions/?WHurl=%2Fcompetition%2F38108%2Fmatch%2F2440552%2Fboxscore%3F Recap]

style="background:#cfc"

! 16

| July 4

PangasinanW 74–50Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center (H)15–1

| [https://mpbl.web.geniussports.com/competitions/?WHurl=%2Fcompetition%2F38108%2Fmatch%2F2447844%2Fboxscore%3F Recap]

style="background:#cfc"

! 17

| July 9

CaloocanW 76–60Caloocan Sports Complex (A)16–1

| [https://mpbl.web.geniussports.com/competitions/?WHurl=%2Fcompetition%2F38108%2Fmatch%2F2447857%2Fboxscore%3F Recap]

style="background:#cfc"

! 18

| July 16

BiñanW 91–74Alonte Sports Arena (A)17–1

| [https://mpbl.web.geniussports.com/competitions/?WHurl=%2Fcompetition%2F38108%2Fmatch%2F2448003%2Fboxscore%3F Recap]

style="background:#cfc"

! 19

| July 22

Batangas CityW 88–62Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center (H)18–1

| [https://mpbl.web.geniussports.com/competitions/?WHurl=%2Fcompetition%2F38108%2Fmatch%2F2448054%2Fboxscore%3F Recap]

style="background:#cfc"

! 20

| July 29

ZamboangaW 82–79Filoil EcoOil Centre (N)19–1

| [https://mpbl.web.geniussports.com/competitions/?WHurl=%2Fcompetition%2F38108%2Fmatch%2F2448074%2Fboxscore%3F Recap]

style="background:#cfc"

! 21

| August 6

ImusW 136–75San Andres Sports Complex (N)20–1

| [https://mpbl.web.geniussports.com/competitions/?WHurl=%2Fcompetition%2F38108%2Fmatch%2F2490550%2Fboxscore%3F Recap]

style="background:#cfc"

! 22

| August 12

South CotabatoW 83–75Filoil EcoOil Centre (N)21–1

| [https://mpbl.web.geniussports.com/competitions/?WHurl=%2Fcompetition%2F38108%2Fmatch%2F2490573%2Fboxscore%3F Recap]

style="background:#cfc"

! 23

| August 16

IloiloW 88–49Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center (H)22–1

| [https://mpbl.web.geniussports.com/competitions/?WHurl=%2Fcompetition%2F38108%2Fmatch%2F2490626%2Fboxscore%3F Recap]

style="background:#cfc"

! 24

| August 26

ManilaW 92–63Filoil EcoOil Centre (N)23–1

| [https://mpbl.web.geniussports.com/competitions/?WHurl=%2Fcompetition%2F38108%2Fmatch%2F2490772%2Fboxscore%3F Recap]

style="background:#fcc"

! 25

| August 30

San JuanL 82–86Cuneta Astrodome (N)23–2

| [https://mpbl.web.geniussports.com/competitions/?WHurl=%2Fcompetition%2F38108%2Fmatch%2F2490786%2Fboxscore%3F Recap]

style="background:#cfc"

! 26

| September 3

BacolodW 143–94Olivarez College (N)24–2

| [https://mpbl.web.geniussports.com/competitions/?WHurl=%2Fcompetition%2F38108%2Fmatch%2F2506316%2Fboxscore%3F Recap]

style="background:#cfc"

! 27

| September 10

AbraW 88–79FPJ Arena (N)25–2

| [https://mpbl.web.geniussports.com/competitions/?WHurl=%2Fcompetition%2F38108%2Fmatch%2F2506355%2Fboxscore%3F Recap]

style="background:#cfc"

! 28

| September 14

QuezonW 75–69AUF Sports and Cultural Center (H)26–2

| [https://mpbl.web.geniussports.com/competitions/?WHurl=%2Fcompetition%2F38108%2Fmatch%2F2506383%2Fboxscore%3F Recap]

colspan=7 align=center | Source: [https://mpbl.web.geniussports.com/competitions/?WHurl=%2Fcompetition%2F38108%2Fteam%2F95560%2Fschedule Schedule]

Playoffs

= Schedule =

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"

! colspan=8 style="{{MPBL color cell|Pampanga Giant Lanterns}};" | 2024 Pampanga Giant Lanterns playoff schedule
Total: 9–0 (Home: 4–0; Road: 1–0; Neutral: 4–0)

style="{{MPBL color cell2|Pampanga Giant Lanterns}};" | Round

! style="{{MPBL color cell2|Pampanga Giant Lanterns}};" | Game

! style="{{MPBL color cell2|Pampanga Giant Lanterns}};" | Date

! style="{{MPBL color cell2|Pampanga Giant Lanterns}};" | Opponent

! style="{{MPBL color cell2|Pampanga Giant Lanterns}};" | Score

! style="{{MPBL color cell2|Pampanga Giant Lanterns}};" | Location

! style="{{MPBL color cell2|Pampanga Giant Lanterns}};" | Series

! style="{{MPBL color cell2|Pampanga Giant Lanterns}};" | Recap

style="background:#cfc"

! rowspan=2 | Division quarterfinals

! 1

| October 8

AbraW 79–64Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center (H)1–0

| [https://mpbl.web.geniussports.com/competitions/?WHurl=%2Fcompetition%2F38108%2Fmatch%2F2552288%2Fboxscore%3F Recap]

style="background:#cfc"

! 2

| October 16

AbraW 66–65Nueva Ecija Coliseum (N)2–0

| [https://mpbl.web.geniussports.com/competitions/?WHurl=%2Fcompetition%2F38108%2Fmatch%2F2552295%2Fboxscore%3F Recap]

style="background:#cfc"

! rowspan=2 | Division semifinals

! 1

| October 26

Nueva EcijaW 76–73Filoil EcoOil Centre (N)1–0

| [https://mpbl.web.geniussports.com/competitions/?WHurl=%2Fcompetition%2F38108%2Fmatch%2F2583771%2Fboxscore%3F Recap]

style="background:#cfc"

! 2

| October 30

Nueva EcijaW 83–80Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center (H)2–0

| [https://mpbl.web.geniussports.com/competitions/?WHurl=%2Fcompetition%2F38108%2Fmatch%2F2583774%2Fboxscore%3F Recap]

style="background:#cfc"

! rowspan=2 | Division finals

! 1

| November 8

San JuanW 91–84Filoil EcoOil Centre (A)1–0

| [https://mpbl.web.geniussports.com/competitions/?WHurl=%2Fcompetition%2F38108%2Fmatch%2F2592078%2Fboxscore%3F Recap]

style="background:#cfc"

! 2

| November 11

San JuanW 81–73Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center (H)2–0

| [https://mpbl.web.geniussports.com/competitions/?WHurl=%2Fcompetition%2F38108%2Fmatch%2F2592079%2Fboxscore%3F Recap]

style="background:#cfc"

! rowspan=3 | National finals

! 1

| December 1

QuezonW 88–71{{flagicon|UAE}} Rashid bin Hamdan Indoor Hall (N)1–0

| [https://mpbl.web.geniussports.com/competitions/?WHurl=%2Fcompetition%2F38108%2Fmatch%2F2595108%2Fboxscore%3F Recap]

style="background:#cfc"

! 2

| December 3

QuezonW 79–60{{flagicon|UAE}} Rashid bin Hamdan Indoor Hall (N)2–0

| [https://mpbl.web.geniussports.com/competitions/?WHurl=%2Fcompetition%2F38108%2Fmatch%2F2595109%2Fboxscore%3F Recap]

style="background:#cfc"

! 3

| December 7

QuezonW 65–61Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center (H)3–0

| [https://mpbl.web.geniussports.com/competitions/?WHurl=%2Fcompetition%2F38108%2Fmatch%2F2597440%2Fboxscore%3F Recap]

colspan=8 align=center | Source: [https://mpbl.web.geniussports.com/competitions/?WHurl=%2Fcompetition%2F38108%2Fteam%2F95560%2Fschedule Schedule]

References

{{reflist}}

{{Pampanga Giant Lanterns}}

{{2024 MPBL season by team}}

{{Pampanga Giant Lanterns 2024 MPBL champions}}

{{MPBL champions}}

Category:Pampanga Giant Lanterns seasons

Pampanga