The Pampanga Giant Lanterns and San Juan Knights both joined the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) as expansion teams for its 2018–19 season. The two teams have consistently faced off in the playoffs, particularly in the mid-2020s when they are battling spot in the finals of both the MPBL and the Pilipinas Super League (PSL). As of September 4, 2025, San Juan leads the all-time series, 8–7.
History
2018–2020: First meetings Both teams first faced each other on June 20, 2018, which happened to be their first games as expansion teams. The then-named Pampanga Lanterns hosted the game at AUF Sports and Cultural Center in Angeles City, but San Juan beat the home team with a score of 93–70. It wouldn't be until the following season when both met in the playoffs for the first time. In the 2020–21 MPBL playoffs, San Juan swept the now-Giant Lanterns in the best-of-three series. Game 1 of that series also featured a game-winning layup made by Mike Ayonayon.
2023–present: Fighting for contention Entering their semifinals match-up in the 2023 PSL DUMPER Cup playoffs, San Juan has beaten Pampanga in all six of their meetings up to that point. In addition, San Juan came into the playoffs undefeated at 15–0 while Pampanga finished 10–5. On March 27, 2023, the Pampanga franchise finally reigned over the San Juan franchise on an 87–84 victory at the Filoil EcoOil Centre. They then went on to win game 2 at home at the Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center to advance to the finals and eventually win their first professional championship against the Davao Occidental Tigers.
Back in the MPBL, on September 30, the Giants Lanterns won their first regular season game against San Juan, a game that would lead to Pampanga's 26th win for the winningest season in league history, a record that is shared with multiple teams, including San Juan. The two teams then found themselves on familiar ground in that year's North Division finals with a trip to the championship series at stake. Pampanga would eventually sweep San Juan once again to claim their first North Division title before winning the championship altogether against the Bacoor City Strikers. Pampanga's five-game winning streak over San Juan came to an end in the following 2024 season after San Juan defeated Pampanga, 86–82, a game that also ended Pampanga's 23-game winning streak. Both teams are expected to meet again in the playoffs, where another division championship is on the line.
Annual finishes NOTE: Preseason games are not included.
League Season Pampanga Lanterns/Giant Lanterns/G Lanterns San Juan Knights/Kings Series W L Playoff finish W L Playoff finish MPBL 2018–19 11 14 Did not qualify 20 5 Won national finals SJ 1–0 2019–20 21 9 Lost division semifinals 26 4 Lost national finals SJ 3–0 2022 14 7 lost division semifinals 14 7 Lost division finals SJ 1–0 PSL 2022–23 10 5 Won finals 15 0 Lost semifinals PAM 2–1 MPBL 2023 26 2 Won national finals 19 9 Lost division finals PAM 3–0 2024 26 2 Won national finals 26 2 Lost division finals PAM 2–1 2025 21 8 Lost division quarterfinals 26 3 Lost division semifinals SJ 1–0
Game summaries Legend Pampanga win San Juan win Bold indicates home team
League Type Date Winning team Score Losing team Location Recap MPBL Regular season June 20, 2018 San Juan 93–70 Pampanga AUF Sports and Cultural Center Recap September 17, 2019 San Juan 102–97 Pampanga AUF Sports and Cultural Center Recap Playoffs February 28, 2020 San Juan 86–84 Pampanga Filoil Flying V Centre Recap March 4, 2020 San Juan 91–83 Pampanga San Andres Sports Complex Recap Regular season October 8, 2022 San Juan 74–71 Pampanga Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center Recap PSL February 16, 2023 San Juan 94–81 Pampanga Filoil EcoOil Centre Recap Playoffs March 27, 2023 Pampanga 87–84 San Juan Filoil EcoOil Centre Recap March 30, 2023 Pampanga 79–72 San Juan Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center Recap MPBL Regular season September 30, 2023 Pampanga 89–73 San Juan Quezon Convention Center Recap Playoffs November 11, 2023 Pampanga 86–82 San Juan Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center Recap November 14, 2023 Pampanga 82–76 San Juan Filoil EcoOil Centre Recap Regular season August 30, 2024 San Juan 86–82 Pampanga Cuneta Astrodome Recap Playoffs November 8, 2024 Pampanga 91–84 San Juan Filoil EcoOil Centre Recap November 11, 2024 Pampanga 81–73 San Juan Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center Recap Regular season September 4, 2025 San Juan 73–68 Pampanga Caloocan Sports Complex Recap
See also Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards–Pampanga Giant Lanterns rivalry Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards–San Juan Knights rivalry
References