In their first home game since the 2018-19 MPBL Datu Cup Finals, the Go for Gold-San Juan Knights were given a tough test.
Behind a huge defensive stand in the end game anchored by Jhonard Clarito and Larry Rodriguez, the Knights escaped the Pasay Voyagers, 74-72, Friday evening at the Filoil Flying V Centre.
“Sinabi ko nung una pa lang, nagpalakas lahat ng teams. Expected na namin na ganito ang mangyayari,” said San Juan head coach Randy Alcantara, as they also needed to fend off the Bacoor Strikers 13 days ago, 77-76. “Kulang kami sa quatro. Kaya tinatrabaho na lang namin yung rebounding department.”
The Knights were leading by as much as 21 points in the game. But they then saw their cushion crumble courtesy of the hot hands of Dhon Reverente, who erupted for 15 of his 26 points in the third canto.
Reverente also had 16 rebounds, four steals, and a block.
Pasay got its first taste of the lead after back-to-back baskets from Jan Jamon, 69-66, with 3:08 remaining.
“Maganda yung dinepensa ng Pasay. Credit to them, talagang maganda yung game plan. Pero nag-lie low din yung depensa namin,” admitted Alcantara.
San Juan and Pasay exchanged leads afterwards, with CJ Isit capping the exchange with a layup to give San Juan a 73-72 lead with 1:25 left.
Needing stops, Clarito did the dirty work for San Juan on defense.
In the final sequence, the Voyagers could not find a go-to guy to close out the game; they settled for a Ron Lastimosa triple with just seconds left. The shot badly missed, and Clarito then sealed the game with a free throw.
Clarito scattered eight points, nine rebounds, three steals, and two blocks for the 2-0 San Juan. Meanwhile, Larry Rodriguez had 10 points, 10 rebounds, and two blocks in the game.
Andoy Estrella led San Juan’s bench mob with 13 points. CJ Isit and John Wilson had 10 markers.
Jamon added 12 points for the 2-1 Voyagers.
The Scores:
San Juan 74 – Estrella 13, Wilson 10, Rodriguez 10, Isit 10, Cardona 8, Clarito 8, Ayonayon 6, Saitanan 5, Reyes 2, Wamar 2, Aquino 0, Tajonera 0.
Pasay 72 – Reverente 26, Jamon 12, Moradas 11, Lastimosa 11, Chan 5, Ilagan 4, Inigo 3, Belencion 0, Vitug 0, Bulawan 0, Opiso 0, Bustos 0.
Quarterscores: 24-5, 40-31, 59-56, 74-72.
