THE Pampanga-Pradera Theme Park booked the last seat in the finals opposite the Farm Fresh-Letran after it bested the Max Ballers with an 87-72 win on July 27, 2023 in the 2023 Manila Bankers Life-Pilipinas Super League 18-Under Battle of the Champions at the Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center in San Fernando, Pampanga.
The Delta ended their nationals campaign with a 3-1 record to barge into the best-of-three finale.
Still hurting from the 92-87 loss they suffered at the hands of Letran, Pampanga’s players were determined to bounce back and took control of the game in the third where they turned a slim 52-45 lead into a 21-point lead, 76-55, heading to the last canto.
Incoming De La Salle University freshman Rhyle Melencio led the way for the Delta with 20 points and 11 rebounds while Veejay Pre produced a line of 17 points and 18 rebounds.
Joseph Pangilinan also shone for the Kapampangans, chipping in 13 points off the bench.
Meanwhile, Farm Fresh-Letran finished with a clean 4-0 slate after taking a dominant 100-79 win over Cagayan de Oro Higalas.
With Andy Gemao sitting out the contest, Jhaslie De Leon shone brightly, dropping 26 points on 11-of-19 shooting from the field.
Cebuano guard Daniel Padilla and Jovel Baliling chipped in 16 and 11 points, respectively.
Sherilin-Unisol Khalifa City of Naga finished the tournament in third place as despite having a tied record with Max Ballers, it owned the tiebreaker advantage by virtue of its 97-95 overtime win last Wednesday. (JNP)