San Juan held Rizal without a field goal in the final two minutes then came away with a big 8-2 run to score a hard-earned 79-78 win in the MPBL 2025 Season at the Ynares Center in Antipolo on Thursday night.
Mike Calisaan had two crucial jumpers then Dexter Maiquez snatched the ball away from Eric Camson during a rebound scramble as the Knights escaped with a tense win against a crack Rizal squad.
Maiquez led the way for the Knights with 21 points, including 14 in the third period when the Knights were aout to make some headway.
Despite losing a 10-point lead in the third quarter and trailing 76-71 entering the final two minutes, the Knights, a former league champion, kept their poise in the endgame and preserved their unblemished mark in the tournament. It was the sixth win in as many games for San Juan.
The loss was the third in eight games for Rizal.
Zamboanga ripped Bacolod, 87-63, as Roi Sumang once again presided on the offense of the SiKat.
Sumang had a near flawless game, knocking in five of six treys on his way to finishing with 21 points as Zamboanga improved its win-loss record to 6-2. It was the third loss in four games for Bacolod.
Marikina finally cracked the win column after outlasting Quezon City, 70-67. It was the first win for the Shoemasters in nine tries.
