The 2024 MPBL Finals Game is one of the most exciting events in Philippine basketball today. The series is set to deliver an electrifying showdown between the defending champions, the Pampanga Giant Lanterns, and the first-time finalists, the Quezon Huskers. This year’s finals are truly historic, as they will feature the league’s first-ever overseas games hosted at the prestigious Al Nasr Club in Dubai on December 1 and December 3, 2024.
For the first time, a Philippine basketball league will play its championship series abroad when it hosts the first two games in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The league will then return home for the final three games. This is significant as it gives the team with the best regular season record the advantage of playing more games on their home court, where they are likely to have more fan support and familiarity with the venue.
Also, for the second time in a row, both teams featured will be based in Luzon but not Metro Manila. This will also be the second overall time a returning finalist or former champion will play and the second time that any finalists are not a first seed in the respective division.
Let’s delve into the Teams’ Journeys:
Pampanga Giant Lanterns
The Pampanga Giant Lanterns, led by key players such as Justine Baltazar, Encho Serrano, and Archie Concepcion, came into the 2024 season as defending champions, having defeated the Bacoor City Strikers in last season’s finals. These players, known for their scoring prowess and defensive skills, played a crucial role in the team’s Preseason Invitational title win in February.
Despite being defeated in the opening game of the season by the Rizal Golden Coolers, Pampanga regrouped and went on a record-breaking 23-game winning streak during the regular season. This streak equaled the previous year’s 26–2 record. The second seed was taken because of a crucial loss to the San Juan Knights during the regular season.
In the playoffs, the Giant Lanterns ruled the day, sweeping every opponent that came their way to make it to the National Finals. They bested the Abra Weavers in the division quarterfinals, outlasted their rivals from Central Luzon, the Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards, in the division semifinals, and dethroned top seed San Juan in two games for their second straight division crown.
Having been crowned with back-to-back division championships, Pampanga made history by being the first team to do this since the 2020 San Juan Knights. Should they win the league title, the Giant Lanterns would also be the first to win two championships consecutively and forever seal their place in history as among the most fearsome teams of the league, a feat that would surely make their fans proud.
Quezon Huskers
The Quezon Huskers opened their 2024 season, hoping to rebound from their quarterfinal exit in the division last season when the Zamboanga Family’s Brand Sardines defeated them. They added players Ljay Gonzales and former league MVP Gab Banal to the roster and had an unbelievable 16-game winning streak. However, this team experienced a decline toward the latter part of their season when they went 5–7 in their last 12 games. With this downturn notwithstanding, however, the overall record at 21–7 did manage to put them first in the South Division.
In the playoffs, the Huskers breezed through the first rounds, sweeping the Negros Muscovados and the Parañaque Patriots in two games apiece to advance to the division finals. With Batangas City Tanduay Rum Masters facing them, Quezon was down Game 1. It was on the verge of elimination in Game 2. But a last-minute spurt, topped by Jason Opiso’s game-winning tip-in, forced a deciding Game 3. The Huskers took the momentum and swept Game 3, the first division championship in their franchise.
Quezon, a team of Calabarzon-based athletes, now sets history as the first-ever expansion team in the professional era to reach the national finals since Batangas City in 2018 and Bacoor City in 2023. Should they win the series, only the second Calabarzon squad will claim the league championship following Batangas City’s 2018 victory.
The Series:
For this year’s national finals, the Pampanga Giant Lanterns will have a homecourt advantage, as they have a better regular season record than the Quezon Huskers (26–2 vs. 21–7).
Game Schedules:
Game 1
December 1 (11:00 pm): Rashid Bin Hamdan Indoor Hall, Dubai
Game 2
December 3 (11:00 pm): Rashid Bin Hamdan Indoor Hall, Dubai
Game 3
December 7 (7:00 pm): Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center, San Fernando, Pampanga
Game 4
December 10 (7:00 pm): Quezon Convention Center, Lucena
Game 5
December 13 (7:00 pm): Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center, San Fernando, Pampanga
If necessary
Where to watch the games?
The 2024 MPBL Finals Game can be streamed through the Ultimate sports streaming platform ArenaPlus.
ArenaPlus combines technology and entertainment, making basketball not just a sport to watch but a fully interactive event. These features make it a top choice for basketball fans looking for an all-encompassing experience.
The games will also be broadcast on television via Media Pilipinas TV (MPTV) and streamed on Pilipinas Live and the league’s social media channels.
Let us all watch how this series unfolds! Join us here at ArenaPlus, and let’s all be part of the most exciting MPBL Finals Game in the history of Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball!
