It seems team owner Senator Jinggoy Estrada’s ‘kumpletos rekados’ description might prove true.
A revamped San Juan squad just proved its mettle in the MPBL after taking down defending champion Abra, 66-58, in the Filoil EcoOil Centre.
Harold Alarcon delivered the goods, trading an abysmal first half for an all-around performance in the fourth quarter to trash Abra’s 38-game winning streak.
Though the former Fighting Maroon finished with only eight points on four-of-17 shooting, the familiarity with pressure-packed moments from his UAAP days came in handy as he scored or assisted on eight of San Juan’s last 16 points.
“Di ako nag start ng maayos, kita naman. Pero yun lang mindset ko—always stay present. Kasi di mo alam mangyayari next. Basta ang mindset ko kung ano yung nasa harap ko, yun na ang may control ako," Alarcon said.
After an Abra cut their double-digit lead to four halfway through the final frame, Alarcon responded with a stepback jumper to quell the flame on their home arena.
Two possessions later, the 23-year-old guard extended their extended their run to eight points straight courtesy of back-to-back steals, the with the first being finished off by him and the second by James Kwekuteye.
“Nakita naman siguro kung gaano ka-grabe yung laban, kudos to Abra. Nagpapasalamat kami sa coaching staff sa ginawa nila, and sa teammates ko. Kung ano yung tinatrabaho namin nagpakita ngayon sa araw na ito," he said.
Aldrech Ramos was one of two Knights to breach double figures in the low-scoring bout. He had 12 points and nine rebounds, while Kwekuteye chipped in 10 markers before fouling out in the fourth.
Mike Phillips was also mostly suppressed on the offensive end—only mustering up four points on three shots—but added 11 rebounds, which greatly helped San Juan wipe the boards with the Weavers.
Insult to injury
Not only does this loss conclude Abra’s historic streak at 38 victories and drop their record to 2-1, it also cost them their team captain in Dave Ildefonso.
The reigning MPBL Most Valuable Player tweaked his ankle in the closing minutes of the second quarter after a block on Alarcon and re-aggravated it once again in the fourth in the middle of Abra’s run that turned out to be the closest they would get.
Ildefonso didn’t return to the game, missing the last five minutes and 50 seconds and concluding their first loss with four points as DJ Fenner and Rian Ayonayon carried the scoring load with 18 and 12, respectively.
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