THE San Juan Knights trampled on the Iloilo United Royals, 102-60, on Friday to close in on the MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) 2026 Season leaders at the Alonte Sports Arena in Binan, Laguna.
Already way ahead, 83-52, the Knights bundled 13 points, sparked by three straight triples by James Kwekuteye, Raul Soyud and Reyland Torres, to seal their fourth straight win and 6-1 record in the two-division, 28-team tournament.
READ Caloocan wins 8th straight at expense of Valenzuela
The Knights trail the Caloocan Batang Kankaloo and the Gensan Warriors, both with 8-0 records, and the Quezon Huskers (5-0), and pace the Abra Solid North Weavers (5-1) in the chase for playoff spots.
Showing their shooting prowess, the Knights drilled in 25 of 53 triple attempts for a high 47.2 percent conversion rate, which proved decisive as the United Royals could only sink 9 of 30 tries for 30 percent.
AC Soberano hit all of his 15 points from afar and grabbed 4 rebounds to clinch Best Player honors over Reyland Torres, who tallied 17 points, laced by 5 triples.
Other Knights who struck hard were Gerry Abadiano and Terrence Fortea with 12 points each, and Mike Philipps and Patric Sleat with 9 points each, highlighted by one-handed slams.
Iloilo absorbed its fifth straight defeat and fell to 1-8 despite Kobe Bryant Pableo's 20 points and 10 rebounds, Kyt Jimenez's 12 points, 10 rebounds and 6 assists, and Richard Velchez's 11 points and 9 rebounds.
The MPBL returns to the One Arena Cainta on Saturday, with games pitting Caloocan against Ilagan Isabela at 4 p.m., Zamboanga against Abra at 6 p.m., and Valenzuela against Quezon Province at 8 p.m.
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