THE Pampanga G Lanterns mauled an overhauled San Pedro Laguna-ARS Warriors, 89-69, on Wednesday night to launch their title bid on a stirring note in the Manila Bankers Life-Pilipinas Super League Pro Division Second Conference Dumper Cup at the Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center in San Fernando, Pampanga.
With prized big man Justine Baltazar sitting out the match due to potential commitments, Pampanga leaned on Dominic Vera who scattered 13 points, grabbed three rebounds and dished out three assists.
Raymond Binuya and Arvie Bringas also chipped in 12 and 11 points, respectively for the Delta Pineda-coached G Lanterns’ debut in the league presented by Winzir and co-presented by SCD Cosmetics and Dumper party-list, and supported by NET 25, Adcon, Wcube Solutions Inc., MDC, Unisol, Don Benitos and Finn Cotton.
San Pedro tumbled to its fourth straight loss, including a 57-99 shellacking at the hands of Pampanga Royce Hotel last December15 for a 1-4 record.
Koponang Lakan ng Bulacan, meanwhile showed no mercy against Bagong Cabuyao-Homelab Nation, 100-57, for its third win.
JL Delos Santos shone for Bulacan with game-highs of 16 points and nine rebounds, while former PBA player Leo Najorda and Jeric Serrano added 12 points each.
RJ Ramirez also had 11 points and two rebounds as Bulacan atoned for a 60-69 loss to San Juan last week and improved to 3-2 won-lost.
Coming off a 52-74 defeat to Pampanga Royce last December 19, Cabuyao fell to 1-3.
Jake Diwa paced the Warriors with 13 points, five rebounds and two assists, while Jan Formento added 12 points.
Mark Doligon also got 10 and six points, respectively, for San Pedro.
Jude Codiñera was the only player from Cabuyao who scored in double-digits with 13 points.