Mark Cruz started out the 2019 MPBL Lakan Cup on a high note in Pampanga’s win in its first game against the GenSan, 94-85.
Cruz tallied a triple-double of 16 points, 11 rebounds, and 12 assists in his debut to lead the Giant Lanterns. The guard's triple-double in his first game is also the first since Andoy Estrella in the inaugural staging of the league.
Michael Juico led Pampanga in scoring with 21 points. Travis Thompson and Levi Hernandez contributed 11 points each.
Pampanga survived Mike Williams' 27 points, including six triples, performance. The Fil-American guard, who was a former US NCAA Division 1, NBA D-League and Asean Basketball League player, also had 10 rebounds and five assists.
John Orbeta, the only other double-digit scorer for the Warriors, had 11 points and four rebounds.
The scores:
PAMPANGA 94 - Juico 21, Cruz 16, Thompson 11, Hernandez 11, Apreku 9, Maiquez 9, Gomez 8, Alberto 4, Baltazar 3, Cervantes 2, Enriquez 0, Fabian 0.
GENSAN 85 - Williams 27, Orbeta 11, Celiz 9, Cabanag 8, Raymundo 6, Landicho 6, De Guzman 6, Foronda 5, Vijandre 5, Bautista 2, Basco 0, Masaglang 0.
Quarter Scores: 26-16, 47-33, 69-60, 94-85.
