SAN Juan entered the Caloocan Sports Complex not just hoping to climb up the 2026 MPBL standings but to deliver a statement against the hometown Batang Kankaloo.
The Knights did.
The Knights steered the ship for most of the match, benefitting from hefty efforts from its backcourt of Orlan Wamar Jr. and Harold Alarcon to deal Caloocan its first loss of the MPBL season, 68-60, on Wednesday.
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Wamar kept San Juan’s offense afloat with his 15 points and eight rebounds, facilitating the offense on off night from Mike Phillips. Alarcon stepped up to quell Caloocan’s 8-0 run that saw ta 58-48 Knights lead trimmed to just four.
The Negros Occidental-born guard scored and assisted on four of the last points for the Knights, fending off the hometown team and raising the Knights' record to 9-1 (win-loss).
Though Alarcon has gone through slumps while trying to find his comfort in the regional league, San Juan coach Alex Angeles was pleased to see him more than hold his own against a squad equally-stacked with UAAP talent.
“Hats off sa kanila, and then, of course, hats off sa Caloocan. Kasi talaga ang ganda naman ng laban. Binigyan tayo ng quality na game.”
Alarcon chipped in 11 points, six rebounds, and four dimes, while Phillips was held to four markers but made up for it with his 15 rebounds.
Aside from Alarcon, his running mates back with State U also chipped in off the bench as Reyland Torres finished with 11 points and four rebounds while Gerry Abadiano had nine.
“Actually, it's a total team effort, din. Hindi lang sila, kasi sa ensayo, kahit yung third group, reserve namin, pinupukpok sila. Kaya, it's a total team effort,” Angeles added.
For the Batang Kankaloo, Kean Baclaan fought tooth-and-nail against the ‘Maroon Four,’ finishing with a game-high 16 points, seven rebounds, and three assists.
Kymani Ladi supported the five-foot-seven guard, dropping 11 points and six boards while going up against Phillips for the now 11-1 Batang Kankaloo.
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