CITY OF SAN FERNANDO — The Pampanga Giant Lanterns (PGL) — champions of the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) — organized a victory parade and thanksgiving party for their fans at the Bren Z. Guiao (BZG) Convention Center in this capital city.
Guided by Governor Dennis “Delta” Pineda, also the head coach of the PGL team, the parade commenced in Lubao and weaved its way through the heart of Pampanga, encompassing Guagua, Bacolor, Sto. Tomas, Minalin, and the City of San Fernando before culminating at the BZG.
Nearly 3,000 fans gathered for a “Pasasalamat”, a thanksgiving party for the fans.The PGL players and coaches, fueled by gratitude for the support, treated their fans to an evening filled with joy and appreciation. Free tickets, meals, and exclusive team T-shirts were given away.
Fortunate fans won raffle prizes, including cash rewards of P50,000, P30,000, and P20,000 for the top three prizes. These, aside from giving P10,000 to 10 lucky winners and P3,000 for 100 more fans.
Governor Delta expressed his gratitude to the fans who invested their efforts and prayers in propelling the Pampanga Giant Lanterns to the national championship.
The players who took center stage at the fan party were Archie Concepcion (HG) – Arellano; CJ Gania (HG) – DHVSU; Kevin Kyle Santos (SGL) – Letran; Louie Sangalang – Letran; JB Bahio – San Beda; Neil; Tolentino (HG) – Arellano; Karl Sampang (HG) – Holy Angel; Michael Jeffrey Garcia (HG) – SPCF; Kurt Reyson (SGL) – Letran; Jayson Apolonio – DMMMSU; Encho Serrano (EP, HG) – De La Salle; Justine Baltazar (HG) – De La Salle; Ronan Santos (HG) – Arellano; Matt De Leon (HG) – Arellano; Arwind Santos (EP, HG) – Far Eastern; Raymond Binuya (HG) – San Sebastian; Mitchelle Maynes; Allen Liwag (SGL) – St. Benilde and John Loy Clemente.
It can be noted that former Senator and boxing legend Manny Pacquiao, the CEO and founder of Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL), played a pivotal role in fostering the league’s growth, providing a platform for aspiring basketball talents across the nation.