Zamboanga shows full arsenal, stuns defending MPBL champ San Juan

Loaded Zamboanga-Family’s Brand Sardines finally showed its true potential, upsetting league-leading San Juan-Go for Gold, 69-64, in the 2019-20 Chooks-to-Go MPBL Lakan Season at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay. 

Down six with 2:40 remaining in the game, Knight Jeff Tajonera drained a big triple from the top of the arc to pull within three, 62-65.

But with 37.2 ticks left, Alvin Pasaol’s putback off a Leonard Santillan miss put Zamboanga back up by five. Tajonera then buried a long two from the corner with 23.9 seconds remaining.

Pasaol split his charities after, but Ayonayon missed his three-point shot on the other end. Robin Roño then iced the game from the free-throw line for Zamboanga.

“It is a morale-boosting win kasi we won against defending champions. Our defense really clicked today on a low-scoring game. ‘Yun lang kasi ang chance namin to beat San Juan,” said Zamboanga head coach Britt Reroma.

Anton Asistio led the Family’s Brand Sardines-sponsored squad with 15 points. Pasaol stuffed the statsheet with 13 markers, six rebounds, three blocks, two assists, and a steal.

Santillan also flashed his all-around game with 13 points, eight boards, three dimes, and a swat.

Zamboanga is now tied with Iloilo for the fourth and fifth spots in the Southern division, both sporting 18-11 win-loss records.

On the other hand, Jhonard Clarito posted 18 points, 11 rebounds two steals and a block. John Wilson contributed 18 markers and nine boards.

San Juan fell to 24-4, still at the top of the North.

The Scores:

Zamboanga-Family’s Brand Sardines 69 – Asistio 15, Pasaol 13, Santillan 13, Villamor 5, Reyes 4, Black 4, De Vera 4, Roño 3, Arboleda 0, Thiele 0.

San Juan-Go for Gold 64 – Clarito 18, Wilson 18, Ayonayon 11, Buñag 6, Tajonera 5, Isit 4, Subido 2, Victoria 0, Wamar 0, Reyes 0, Aquino 0, Pelayo 0, Estrella 0.

Quarterscores: 19-17, 36-27, 55-48, 69-64.

Story by Justin Valencia
Photo by Nicks Hernandez