THE North selection won over its South counterparts 99-91 late Saturday in the OKBet-MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) Fifth Season All-Star Game at the Bataan People’s Center in Balanga City.
Justine Baltazar powered North with 20 points, 23 rebounds and 6 assists to end South’s 3-edition reign and earn MVP honors.
Baltazar, also the regular season MVP race pacesetter, drew support from Pampanga teammate Encho Serrano with 21 points, including 12 in the fourth quarter, where the South briefly held the lead, 77-74, coming from as far as 23-47 midway through the second quarter.
Roi Sumang of Nueva Ecija contributed 13 points while San Juan’s Adrian Nocum, Rizal’s John Winfred Gob and Makati’s Rob Celiz chipped in 8 points each for North coach Pampanga Gov. Dennis Pineda.
The smaller South selection got 18 points and 7 rebounds from John Wilson of GenSan, 16 points and 8 rebounds from reigning MVP Jaycee Marcelino of Zamboanga, 14 points plus 7 rebounds from Bacoor’s Jhan Nermal, 9 from Imus high-flyer Poypoy Actub and 8 from burly Joseph Gabayni of Zamboanga.
MPBL Founder and CEO Manny Pacquiao rewarded the North squad with P350,000 and the South selection P150,000.
The South squad beat the North, 109-84, 126-122, and 109-92 in previous All-Star Game.
