MPBL: Knights stay perfect; Pasay, Nueva Ecija win
WITH two players coming away with a double-double effort, the San Juan Knights kept their perfect record in the MPBL Lakan Season, this after the reigning champions outplayed the Quezon City Capitals, 89-71, late Monday night at the Filoil Flying V Centre.
John Wilson, a player known for his scoring prowess, played an extra ordinary effort in finishing with 21 points and 10 rebounds to lead the Knights to their eighth straight win. Now 8-0, San Juan has just matched the best start in league history posted by Muntinlupa last season.
But Wilson also drew a solid game from fellow ex-pro Larry Rodriguez, who also had a double-double output of 13 points and 10 rebounds. Jhonard Clarito, last season’s hero of the finals series, concentrated on getting the boards for the Knights as pulled down 14 rebounds.
With San Juan getting a combined 34 rebounds from Clarito, Wilson and Rodriguez, the Knights were able to get 10 more rebounds over their counterparts, 57-47.
More than its extra effort in winning the battle of the boards, San Juan also put more emphasis in shutting down its rival. The Knights held the Capitals to just 31-percent shooting from the field (23-of-73).
Also winning Monday were Pasay and Nueva Ecija.
Less than a week after taking down championship contender Bacoor, the Voyagers of Pasay slayed another giant in inaugural staging champion Batangas City Athletics-Tanduay, 72-61.
Swingman Dhon Reverente had a monster game, finishing with 26 points and grabbing 15 rebounds as the Voyagers made a quick turnaround after losing four in a row. Following their huge back-to-back victories against crack teams, the Voyagers now improved their win-loss record to 5-5.
Nueva Ecija rewarded its new coach Alvin Grey with a win as the MiGuards snapped a five-game losing skid following an 85-82 squeaker of the Muntinlupa Cagers.
