Watching Game 4 unfold last night, I couldn’t help but reflect on just how dominant the Giant Lanterns have been throughout this series. After sweeping the Huskers in historic fashion—88-81 in Game One and 79-60 in Game Two, both held in Dubai—the Lanterns returned to their homecourt with a clear mission: to cut short this best-of-five series and become the MPBL’s first-ever back-to-back champions. And let me tell you, they did not disappoint. As someone who’s followed this league closely for years, I’ve seen plenty of teams crumble under pressure, but the Lanterns are playing with a kind of focus and chemistry that’s rare even at this level.
Right from the opening tip-off, you could feel the energy in the arena. The Lanterns came out aggressive, pushing the pace and forcing turnovers that led to easy transition buckets. One of the standout sequences came midway through the first quarter—a steal near half-court followed by a no-look pass and a thunderous dunk that brought the entire crowd to its feet. It’s moments like these that change the momentum of a game, and honestly, I think the Huskers never fully recovered. Defensively, the Lanterns were just suffocating. They held the Huskers to under 40% shooting from the field in the first half, and if you ask me, that defensive intensity is what separates championship teams from the rest.
I’ve always believed that great teams have a knack for making the right plays at the right time, and last night was a perfect example. With about five minutes left in the third quarter, the Huskers managed to trim the lead down to just six points. But just when it looked like they might mount a comeback, the Lanterns’ veteran point guard drained a contested three-pointer from way beyond the arc. That shot felt like a dagger—it silenced the Huskers’ bench and seemed to suck the life out of their rally. From my perspective, that’s the kind of moment that defines a series. It wasn’t just about the points; it was about sending a message.
Offensively, the Lanterns shared the ball beautifully, finishing with 24 assists as a team. Their ball movement was crisp, and they exploited mismatches with an almost surgical precision. I was particularly impressed with their pick-and-roll execution—it created open looks again and again, and they capitalized on nearly every opportunity. On the other side, the Huskers struggled to find any sort of rhythm. Their star player, who averaged 28 points per game in the regular season, was held to just 14 points on 5-of-18 shooting. You have to credit the Lanterns’ defensive schemes for that; they double-teamed him relentlessly and never let him get comfortable.
As the game entered the fourth quarter, the Lanterns really put on a show. There was a stretch where they went on a 12-2 run, highlighted by an alley-oop that pretty much sealed the deal. I’ve seen a lot of alley-oops in my time, but this one was special—the timing, the elevation, the finish—it was poetry in motion. Moments like that remind you why you love this sport. The Huskers tried to fight back, hitting a couple of threes down the stretch, but it was too little, too late. The Lanterns’ composure never wavered, and they closed out the game with the poise of a team that’s been here before.
Looking back, it’s clear that the Lanterns’ experience and depth were just too much for the Huskers to handle. They had contributions up and down the roster, from their starters to their bench players, and that balance is something I’ve always admired about this squad. Winning back-to-back titles is incredibly difficult—just ask any team that’s tried—but the Lanterns are on the verge of making history. If they can maintain this level of play, I don’t see anyone stopping them. Last night’s performance wasn’t just a win; it was a statement. And as a longtime fan of the game, I have to say, it’s been a privilege to watch this team operate at such a high level. They’re not just playing basketball—they’re mastering it.