THE San Juan Knights repeated over the Caloocan Batang Kankaloo,86-80, on Wednesday to advance to the North Division Finals of the MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) Sixth Season at the Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center in San Fernando, Pampanga.
Powered by Orlan Wamar and Reynel Hugnatan, the Knights controlled the tempo and led by as far as 52-35 in duplicating their 71-65 conquest of the Batang Kankaloo in Game One and cutting short their best-of-three semifinal series.
Wamar wound up with 15 points, including a perfect 8 of 8 free throws, and 6 assists to live up his role as San Juan's main man. Hugnatan posted 13 points and 6 rebounds and was given the Daily Fantasy Best Player honors.
Other Knights who shone for Coach Sen. Jinggoy Estrada were Dexter Maiquez with 10 points, 9 rebounds, and 4 assists and Michael Malonzo with 10 points and 6 rebounds that helped San Juan rule the boards, 48-33.
Caloocan scored the game's first basket and led for 1 minute and 1 second before San Juan seized control and held the rein for 35 minutes and 40 seconds.
The Batang Kankaloo got 17 points, 15 in the fourth quarter, from Jeramer Cabanag, 16 from Paul Sanga, 12 from Reil Cervantes, and 11 from Irven Palecia, who added 5 assists and 4 steals.
San Juan, the 2019 MPBL champion, will be facing the winner of the other semifinal series between defending champion Pampanga and the 2022 titlist Nueva Ecija. Having won Game One, Pampanga needs only to beat Nueva Ecija anew in Game Two going on at press time to set up a North Division title collision with San Juan.
The MPBL playoffs take a break and will resume on Nov. 4 at the Batangas City Coliseum with the South Division semifinals. Quezon Province is seeking a sweep of its best-of-three series with Paranaque at 6 p.m., same with South Cotabato against host Batangas at 8 p.m.
