There seems to be no stopping San Juan, former champion in the MPBL, which showed its aspirations of reclaiming the crown in the league’s sixth season Wednesday night at the Batangas City Coliseum.
The Knights waylaid a hapless Bicolandia Oragons, 99-58, for their sixth straight victory in as many games as the league’s National Champion five years ago remained unbeaten.
San Juan shot an amazing 58% from the field (35-of-60) and continued to show semblance in offense even after losing one of its top coaches in its roster — Yong Garcia.
Garcia took over as head coach of Abra, which dropped a tough 76-80 loss to Mindoro in the other game.
But the Knights continued to respond well under the tutelage of coaching Senator Jinggoy Estrada, who was able to draw twin digits from five players, including a double-double performance from Mike Malonzo.
The hardworking forward came away with 10 points and 10 rebounds while Egie led all San Juan scorers with 16 markers and Michael Calisaan contributed 15. John Martin Galinato added 13 markers while Arin Gamboa chipped in 11 for the Knights, who also outrebounded their counterparts, 46-30, and played better as a team by dishing out more assists, 36-14.
Host team Batangas City-Tanduay Rum Masters outplayed the Davao Occidental Tigers, 71-59, in the main game.
Defense played a big factor in the Rum Masters’ latest triumph as coach Cholo Villanueva and his troops held the Tigers to just 33% shooting from the field (20-of-60).
Batangas City also lorded it over in the battle of the boards, grabbing 48 rebounds, 18 more than its rival.
Even more dominant was the Rum Masters’ bench production as they produced 44 points from players coming off the bench as compared to only 23 for Davao Occidental.
