STREAKING San Juan and South Cotabato trounced separate opponents on Friday in the MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) Sixth Season at the Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center in San Fernando, Pampanga.
The San Juan Knights led throughout and clobbered the Imus Agimat VA Drones, 100-61, while the South Cotabato Warriors overpowered the Sarangani Marlins, 95-80.
Following its 11th straight win, San Juan climbed to 20-1 and stayed close to pacesetter Pampanga (21-1) in the round-robin elimination phase of the 29-team tournament.
Knights on a roll
Marwin Taywan paced San Juan with 19 points, 3 rebounds, plus 3 steals, followed by Joseph Ubalde with 17 points, 11 rebounds, plus 3 assists, and Dave Ando with 10 points plus 12 rebounds. Kenneth Neil Villapando also delivered for San Juan coach Sen. Jinggoy Estrada with 11 points and 6 rebounds.
Also-ran Imus, which skidded to 1-21, got 13 points each from Jameson Hiro and Carlo Velasco.
Like San Juan, South Cotabato stormed ahead, 52-33, by halftime before cruising to their 15th win in 23 starts.
Jammer Jamito paced the Warriors with 11 points plus 7 rebounds and was supported by Kyle Tolentino with 10 points plus 10 rebounds and Larry Rodriguez with 10 points plus 3 rebounds.
Sarangani, out of playoffs contention with a 5-17 slate, drew 18 points from Ryan Isaac Sual, 16 points plus 5 rebounds from Marvin Hayes, and 11 points plus 5 rebounds from Jomar Madayag.
The MPBL goes to the Calasiao Sports Complex on Saturday with games pitting Muntinlupa against Abra at 4 p.m., Rizal against Valenzuela at 6 p.m., and Zamboanga against Pangasinan at 8 p.m.
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