The San Juan Knights displayed a balanced offense and subdued the Pangasinan Heatwaves, 73-66, on Thursday, June 26, to share second spot in Manny Pacquiao presents MPBL 2025 Season at the FilOil Flying V Centre in San Juan.
Only Michael Calisaan scored twin digits for San Juan with 11, but AC Soberano, Dexter Maiquez and Arvin Gamboa contributed 9 points each; and recruit JC Cullar chipped in 8 points, 5 assists, 3 rebounds and 3 steals in the Knights’ 15th win against one loss in the round-robin elimination phase of the 30-team tournament.
The Knights, missing ailing gunner Orlan Wamar, caught up with the Abra Solid North Weavers and trailed the Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards (16-0) in the chase for playoff spots.
Pangasinan fell to 10-6 despite Vic Manuel’s 18 points and 6 rebounds, Jorey Napoles’ 10 points and 12 rebounds, and Michael DiGregorio’s 11 points plus 2 rebounds.
Imus Braderhood mowed down depleted Bacolod, 86-68, behind Regie Boy Basibas in the second game to improve to 8-10.
Basibas notched 16 points, 19 rebounds and 3 assists as Imus foiled the repeated rallies of Bacolod.
Mark Doligon provided support with 13 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists, and so did Ryusei Koga with 10 points, 3 rebounds and 2 assists.
The 7-man Bacolod rotation got 21 points fro Mark Ray Dubouzet and 17 points from Aldave Canoy.
The Mindoro Tamaraws sustained their climb with a 103-72 crushing of the Bulacan Kuyas.
Powered by Wendelino Comboy and Hanz Philip Maycong and Axel Inigo, the Tamaraws secured their fourth straight win and improved to 11-8.
Comboy posted 20 points, 3 assists, 2 rebounds and 2 blocks; Maycong 14 points and 2 rounds, and Inigo 13 points, 11 rebounds and 2 assists as Mindoro pulled down Bulacan to 2-16.
Other Tamaraws who delivered for coach Bengie Teodoro and team owner Mayor Jennifer “Ina Alegre” Cruz were Jeco Bancaje with 10 points, 5 assists and 2 rebounds, and RJ Ramirez with 7 points and 2 rebounds.
With Comboy sinking 6 of 9 triple tries, the Tamaraws converted 14 of 34 against only 8 of 33 for the Kuyas, who were further hampered by their 6 of 17 free throw performance.
The Tamaraws controlled the boards, 51-39, paving the way for a decisive 43-16 edge on fastbreak points.
Bulacan drew 16 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals from Marlon Monte, 13 points and 11 rebounds from Joseph Celso, and 10 points plus 4 rebounds from John Rey Sumido.
The MPBL returns to The Capital Arena on Saturday with games pitting Caloocan against Abra at 6 p.m., and Ilagan Isabela against Valenzuela at 8 p.m.
