Pampanga prevailed as predicted while Pasig and Rizal bested favored opponents on Thursday in the OKBet-MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) Fifth Season at the Bren Guiao Convention Center in San Fernando, Pampanga.

The Pampanga Giant Lanterns sped away at halftime and proceeded to rout Valenzuela XUR Homes Realty Inc., 79-55, for its third straight victory in the elimination round of the 29-team tournament.

Drawing 21 points, 13 rebounds and 6 assists from the towering Justine Baltazar, Pampanga surged beyond reach, 79-52, before easing down on hapless Valenzuela, which absorbed its sixth straight defeat.

Apart from the 6-foot-8 Baltazar, Pampanga drew 15 points from Gay Lord Pambid and 11 points and 10 rebounds from Mat De Leon. Top Guan Archie Concepcion was fielded sparingly and settled for five points.

Only homegrown Carl Bryan Lacap struck back for Valenzuela with 14 points.

Running and gunning from the start, Pasig City MCW Sports dumped San Juan, 90-75, halting its two-game slide and climbing to a 4-3 record while the Rizal Xentro Mall Golden Coolers rallied and shocked the Muntinlupa Cagers, 69-64, to raise its card to 2-5.

Robbie Manalang presided over Pasig’s surprising romp with 26 points, 24 coming from triples. The former Adamson star was supported by fellow speedster Ryan Paule Costelo with 13 points and 8 rebounds and Pierce Tyron Chan with 13 points and 4 rebounds.

San Juan, which tasted its first loss after three wins, got 14 points, 7 assists and 6 rebounds from Orlan Wamar, 12 points from Nikko Pangilinan, 11 points each from Michael Calisaan and Marwin Taywan and 10 points from Joseph Marquez.