San Juan repeated its victory over Caloocan, 86-80, on Wednesday to advance to the North Division Finals of the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League Sixth Season at the Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center in San Fernando, Pampanga.
Led by Orlan Wamar and Reynel Hugnatan, the Knights controlled the game’s tempo, building a lead as large as 52-35 to replicate their 71-65 win in Game One and clinch their best-of-three semifinal series.
Wamar contributed 15 points, including a perfect 8-of-8 from the free-throw line, along with six assists, asserting his role as San Juan’s playmaker.
Hugnatan added 13 points and six rebounds, earning him Daily Fantasy’s Best Player honors.
Other Knights who stood out were Dexter Maiquez, with 10 points, nine rebounds, and four assists, and Michael Malonzo, who chipped in 10 points and six rebounds to help San Juan dominate the boards, 48-33.
Caloocan managed only a brief lead of one minute and one second after scoring the game’s first basket before San Juan took control and held it for 35 minutes and 40 seconds.
Jeramer Cabanag led Caloocan with 17 points, scoring 15 of those in the fourth quarter, while Paul Sanga, Reil Cervantes, and Irven Palecia contributed 16, 12, and 11 points, respectively, with Palecia also adding five assists and four steals.
San Juan, the 2019 MPBL champion, now awaits the winner of the other semifinal series between defending champion Pampanga and 2022 titlist Nueva Ecija.
With Pampanga having taken Game One, they only need another win over Nueva Ecija in Game Two, ongoing at press time, to set up a North Division title clash with San Juan.
The MPBL playoffs will take a short break and resume on Nov. 4 at the Batangas City Coliseum with the South Division semifinals.
Quezon Province looks to sweep its best-of-three series against Paranaque at 6 p.m., followed by South Cotabato’s bid to close out against host Batangas at 8 p.m.
