San Juan-Go for Gold returned to its winning ways after crushing also-ran Navotas Unipak Sardines, 112-95, on Monday in the 2019-20 Chooks-to-Go MPBL Lakan Season at the San Andres Sports Complex in Manila.
Orlan Wamar gunned for six triples and finished with 21 points and five assists. The Go for Gold-backed Knights rose to a league-leading 21-3 win-loss slate.
“I am proud of my players. They lived up to the expectations. Sinabi ko lang sa kanila [na] hindi kami pwede matalo dito kasi we are gunning for first place,” San Juan owner Jinggoy Estrada said.
John Wilson punched in 17 markers, seven boards and four steals for the Knights. Meanwhile, Mike Ayonayon contributed 16 points and a game-high plus-29 in the game.
San Juan had a huge advantage in fastbreak points, 38-15, as well as in bench points, 66-43.
With Navotas closing in, 72-83, San Juan started the fourth period on an 18-6 blast, highlighted by three triples by Orlan Wamar, 101-78.
The Knights used a huge second quarter storm, outscoring Navotas, 34-19, to turn a close 28-24 affair to a 62-43 blowout at halftime.
Team captain Jhong Bondoc unloaded 21 points and six rebounds.
The Uni-Pak Sardines-backed squad fell to 6-19.
The Scores:
San Juan-Go for Gold 112 – Wamar 21, Wilson 17, Ayonayon 16, Rodriguez 8, Reyes 8, Ubalde 7, Estrella 6, Clarito 6, Buñag 5, Subido 4, Aquino 4, Pelayo 3, Tajonera 3, Marquez 2, Isit 2.
Navotas-Unipak Sardines 95 – Bondoc 21, Melegrito 16, Evangelista 12, Taywan 10, Abdurasad 9, Guillen 6, Cabahug 6, Bautista 4, Matillano 4, Gonzales 3, Mamaclay 2, Prudente 0, Soriano 0, Escobal 0.
Quarterscores: 28-24, 62-43, 83-72, 112-95.
Story by Justin Valencia
Photo by Nicks Hernandez