San Juan played inspired basketball on Wednesday night — and for a deeply emotional reason.
The Lady Knights, from the starters to the last player on the bench, poured their hearts out in a dominant 76-47 win over Tagaytay-Tol, dedicating the victory to their team captain Janine Pontejos, who is currently mourning the loss of her sister.
Pontejos, who starred with 17 points in their debut win against RK Hoops-Quezon City, missed the game at the Enderun Gym to be with her family during this difficult time.
But in her absence, the Lady Knights rose to the occasion.
Long-time Gilas Pilipinas teammate and close friend Chack Cabinbin led the charge with a game-high 24 points on an efficient 9-of-13 shooting, while also tallying five assists and three steals.
The performance helped San Juan notch their second consecutive victory in the 2025 Women’s Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League.
(C) WMPBL
“Yung inspirasyon namin ngayon kaya ganito ‘yung tinrabaho namin, ‘yung teammate namin si Janine. ‘Dol, para sa’yo ‘tong game na ‘to. Sumanib talaga sa akin si Janine Pontejos eh, hihintayin namin ‘yung pagbabalik niya,” said Cabinbin, speaking from the heart.
“Para sa kanya ‘tong game na ‘to.”
San Juan displayed a collective effort, with Hazel Panti adding 14 points. Florence Talas filled the stat sheet with 13 points, four rebounds, three assists, and seven steals, while Rejoice Adlawan chipped in 12 markers.
The Lady Knights’ bench also provided a huge lift, contributing a combined 39 points.
Head coach Ai Lebornio praised the team’s dedication, sharing that their preparation for Tagaytay-Tol was driven by a shared desire to honor Pontejos.
“Siyempre doing good, doing good. Kasi lahat ng pinractice namin, lahat ng sacrifices nung mga bata — especially na wala si Janine [Pontejos] ngayong game namin — talagang nag-work hard sila for Janine. Tinrabaho nila ‘yung practice namin, ‘yung preparation namin,” said Lebornio.
“In the middle of preparation namin, nawala ‘yung ate niya kaya talagang lahat kami naka-support sa kanya. Talagang inaalay talaga namin sa kanya ‘to kasi hindi ganun kadali ‘yung pinagdadaanan nung bata so talagang lahat ng mga teammate niya nag-work hard.”
With their captain in their hearts and on their minds, San Juan continues to play not just for wins — but for something bigger.
