San Juan-Go for Gold star John Wilson etched his name in Chooks-to-Go/MPBL history when he became the first player in the two-year-old league to reach the 1000-point club last Saturday.
But ahead of their match-up against the Pasig Sta. Lucia-Realtors, the 32-year-old swingman was unaware of the milestone he was about to reach.
It was only when a staff member approached him right before tipoff that he realized what was about to unfold. However, instead of forcing things, Wilson stuck to the game plan and let things come his way.
And it paid dividends for the NCAA Season 86 Most Valuable Player out of Jose Rizal University.
“Actually nung magju-jump ball nga eh, binulungan ako nung isang staff na kailangan ko four points lang,” shared Wilson, a native of Binangonan Rizal. “Sabi ko, ‘Relax lang, darating naman ‘yun eh.’
“So hindi ko naman masyadong pinilit na parang umi-score ng umi-score. Dumating lang talaga na nasho-shoot ko naman ‘yung mga tira ko.”
Needing only four points to solidify his place in history, Wilson drained a jumper in the opening minute of the match to close in on the milestone. He then reached the feat after swishing a three-pointer at the 4:35 mark of the same quarter.
“Very blessed na ako ‘yung unang player na naka-reach ng one thousand.
“Happy naman ako sa performance ko kasi pinaghihirapan ko naman talaga ‘yung every game,” said Wilson, who now has 1,020 points to his name.
Wilson – whom Barangay Ginebra drafted seventh overall in 2010 – finished with 24 points, five rebounds, and four assists for the Go-for-Gold-backed squad.
More importantly, he steered San Juan past Pasig, 109-99, en route to a league-best 22-3 win-loss standing. The victory also put a thin gap between the Knights and second-placed Manila, who possesses a 21-4 card in the Northern Division.
In other games, Gab Banal’s triple-double performance led Bacoor to a dominant 98-67 victory over Muntinlupa-Angelis Resort while Bacolod-Master Sardines revived its playoff chances with a 96-89 victory against Basilan-Jumbo Plastic.
Story by Jonash Dannug
Photo by Thel Suliva
