With John Wilson leading the way, the San Juan Knights ran roughshod on the Nueva Ecija-Miguard, taking a 109-95 win at the Filoil Flying V Centre.
San Juan’s 9-0 start to its campaign in the 2019-20 MPBL Lakan Cup is the best start ever seen by the league.
And Wilson instigated the Knights’ offense, firing 26 points to leave Nueva Ecija in the dust.
Supporting Wilson were Mac Cardona, who had 18 points, and Larry Rodriguez, who tallied 13 points and five rebounds in just 18 minutes of action.
Nueva Ecija, who dropped to 2-6 in the Northern Division, did not have Jerwin Gaco in the game. Marlon Monte took advantage of this, finishing with 27 points and seven rebounds.
Wilson’s old collegiate rival Jimbo Aquino added 13 markers.
Earlier in the day, the Davao Occidental Tigers racked up their fifth straight win after outlasting the Bataan Risers, 83-75.
James Forrester was pivotal in the win, scorign 19 points — including a huge triple that gave the Tigers a 71-65 lead midway through the final frame.
Mark Yee anchored Davao Occidental with 18 points and 11 rebounds as well.
Alvin Pasaol continued his surge, scoring 22 points. However, Bataan fell to 4-5.
In the first game, Davao Occidental’s regional rivals General Santos went up to 7-2 after escaping the Navotas Clutch, 87-76.
The trio of Mikey Williams, Robby Celiz, and Pamboy Raymundo had 22, 21, and 19 markers, respectively.
Jhong Bondoc had 12 points and 14 rebounds but Navotas still fell to 2-4.
The Scores:
First Game:
General Santos 87 – Williams 22, Celiz 21, Raymundo 19, Orbeta 11, Mahaling 6, Masaglang 6, Goloran 2, Basco 0, Bautista 0, Cabanag 0, Radin 0, Foronda 0, Carlos 0.
Navotas 76 – Bondoc 12, Cabahug 10, Melegrito 10, Abdurasad 9, Orquina 9, Andaya 9, Meca 5, Buenafe 4, Penaflor 4, Evangelista 2, Quiro 2, Miraflores 0, Escobal 0, Soriano 0.
Quarterscores: 25-22, 43-40, 63-64, 87-76.
Second Game:
Davao Occidental 83 – Forrester 19, Yee 18, Robles 15, Terso 11, Custodio 7, Calo 7, Saldua 2, Balagtas 2, Dumagan 2, Ludovice 0, Mocon 0.
Bataan 75 – Pasaol 22, Villarias 14, Asistio 9, Santillan 8, Villahermosa 6, Reyes 6, Jaime 2, Castro 2, Batino 2, Presbitero 2, Gotladera 0.
Quarterscores: 21-21, 37-37, 61-58, 83-75.
Third Game:
San Juan 109 – Wilson 26, Cardona 18, Clarito 14, Rodriguez 13, Estrella 8, Ayonayon 8, Reyes 7, Pelayo 5, Ubalde 3, Tajonera 2, Isit 2, Marquez 2, Aquino 1, Saitanan 0, Salvado 0.
Nueva Ecija 95 – Monte 27, Aquino 13, Gozum 11, Sarao 10, Dela Cruz 9, Delfinado 7, Acibar 5, Reyes 5, Celada 4, Armenion 2, Tadeo 2, Reducto 0.
Quarterscores: 23-26, 55-38, 82-66, 109-95.
