SAN JUAN topped Nueva Ecija, 78-66, at home on Friday to send a statement in the MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) Sixth Season at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.
Ahead by just three points after the third quarter, the Knights flashed the form that made them the Second Season champion and pulled away, 70-54, all the way to a 13-1 record in the round-robin eliminations of the 29-team tournament.
Nikko Panganiban paced a balanced San Juan offense with 14 points plus four rebounds, followed by Dexter Maiquez with 10 points plus eight rebounds.
They were supported by Michael Calisaan, Michael Malonzo, and Orlan Wamar with nine points each, as the Knights re-asserted their mastery over the Rice Vanguards, whom they swept in last year's North Division semifinals.
Nueva Ecija, the Season Four titlist, led briefly at 39-36 through Billy Ray Robles and Will McAloney, only to turn cold and suffer a second straight defeat that relegated it to 12-2.
McAloney finished with 14 points and five rebounds, Robby Celiz chalked nine points and nine rebounds, and Robles had nine points and three rebounds.
Cansino waxes hot for second straight game
Other games saw South Cotabato subdue Bataan, 88-83, and Iloilo rout Marikina, 93-77.
Enzo Joson yet again shone for the Warriors, who climbed to 12-5, with 20 points, three rebounds, and three assists. Marwin Dionisio complemented him with 16 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists, and so did Chris Dumapig and Jervy Cruz with 12 points apiece.
The Risers slid to 4-12 despite Yves Sazon's 21 points, Rhaffy Octobre's 18, and Dominick Vera's 10.
CJ Cansino then towed the Royals to a 7-9 card with 30 points, 10 rebounds, four steals, and three assists. The former University of the Philippines skipper was supported by homegrown Mark Nonoy with 15 points and Clint Doliguez with 13 points, 13 rebounds, four assists, and three steals.
The Shoemasters, who tumbled to 4-12, drew 15 points, five assists, and four rebounds from Jordan Sta. Ana, 13 points plus nine rebounds from Ives Corteza, and 13 points plus five rebounds from Eric Pili.
The MPBL travels to the Pola Gymnasium in Oriental Mindoro on Saturday with games pitting Bicolandia against Batangas at 4 p.m., Bulacan against Abra at 6 p.m., and Imus against Mindoro at 8 p.m.
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