Coming off a Most Valuable Player run in the Finals of the MPBL Datu Cup, Rian Ayonayon rode the momentum heading into San Juan’s first game in the Lakan Cup.
Behind Ayonayon, the Go for Gold-San Juan Knights pulled off a thrilling 77-76 win to break the hearts of the Bacoor City Strikers, Friday evening in Strike Gym.
The Datu Cup Finals MVP knocked down a clutch jumper with 18 seconds left to break a 74-all deadlock.
On the other end, reigning MVP Gab Banal committed a turnover while Larry Rodriguez split his charities to give San Juan a three-point edge.
Ayonayon had 22 points, 10 rebounds, four steals, and two steals. He outshined Banal, who scattered 17 points, eight assists, and seven rebounds.
Bacoor had a chance to send the game into overtime as Jeffrey Tajonera fouled RJ Ramirez as he attempted a three-point shot. The former FEU Tamaraw made his first two freebies but missed his last attempt that ended the contest.
Revelation Jhonard Clarito and Larry Rodriguez tallied double-doubles for San Juan as well with the former tallying 16 points on 5-fo-7 shooting and 13 boards while the latter finishing with 12 points and 14 rebounds. John Wilson chipped in 16 points built on four triples.
Michael Canete had 19 points to pace Bacoor while Ramirez added 13 markers off the bench.
In a cross-division showdown, the Bulacan Kuyas pulled off a come-from-behind victory over the Cebu-Casino Ethyl Alcohol Sharks, 75-71, in the first game of the day.
Cebu led by as much as 13 points in the game and seven points with 2:19 remaining.
The Sharks though figured in a bevy of turnovers that the Kuyas were able to translate to buckets.
Jhan Nermal knocked down a triple to spark an 11-0 run to close out the game. During the rally, a turnover by Michael Cenita led to Jovit Dela Cruz bucket while another Cenita error with 42 ticks left paved the way for Dan Sara’s go-ahead bucket.
Free throws by Dela Cruz sealed the deal for Bulacan.
Dela Cruz, Sara, and Nermal all had 10 points each for Bulacan while Jay Alabanza and JR Taganas had 11 points and 11 rebounds, respectively.
William McAloney had a game-high 14 points for Cebu but needed 19 attempts to do so. Cebu shock troopers Edrian Lao and Kraniel Viloria chipped in 12 and 11 points respectively.
The Scores:
First Game:
Bulacan 75 – Alabanza 11, Dela Cruz 10, Sara 10, Nermal 10, Escosio 8, Taganas 5, Capacio 5, Siruma 5, Bonsubre 4, Santos 3, Diputado 2, Arim 2.
Cebu 71 – Mcaloney 14, Lao 12, Viloria 11, Cenita 6, Villafranca 6, Rodriguez 3, Nunez 3, Cabahug 3, Galvez 2, Coronel 1, Cortes 0, Pamulaklakin 0, Dinolan 0, Octobre 0.
Quarterscores: 8-18, 33-34, 50-58, 75-71.
Second Game:
San Juan 77 – Ayonayon 22, Wilson 16, Clarito 16, Rodriguez 12, Estrella 3, Isit 2, Reyes 2, Saitanan 2, Tojonera 2, Cardona 0, Wamar 0, Aquino 0.
Bacoor 76 – Canete 19, Banal 17, Ramirez 13, Sumalinog 10, Montuano 8, Castro 7, Destacamento 2, Melencio 0, Aquino 0, Acidre 0, Webb 0.
Quarterscores: 16-13, 37-32, 49-51, 77-76.
