SAN Juan shared the lead, Pampanga extended its hot streak while South Cotabato's campaign gained traction on Monday in the MPBL Sixth Season at the Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center in San Fernando, Pampanga.
The San Juan Knights sped away in the third quarter and proceeded to beat the Negros Muscovados, 85-64, for their eighth straight win that pushed them to the top with the Quezon Huskers in the round-robin elimination phase of the 29-team tournament.
Defending champion Pampanga, on the other hand, turned a projected tight fight into a 77-59 drubbing of the Paranaque Jets in the nightcap - the Giant Lanterns' eighth win after a season-opening loss.
READ San Juan Knights pull away from Negros, stay unbeaten
Pampanga allowed Paranaque to score the first basket before piling 10 points and proceeding to pull down the Patriots to 7-3
Rence Alcoriza led Pampanga's scorers with 15 points, followed by Archie Concepcion with 13 and MJ Garcia with 12. Reigning MPBL MVP Justine Baltazar settled for 11 points but snagged 16 rebounds and issued 4 assists.
Paranaque got 17 points, 12 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals from Joshua Gallano as Top Gun Jielo Razon was held to 6 points, veteran Mark Yee 3 points and sniper Philip Manalang went scoreless.
In the opener, the South Cotabato Warriors trounced the Bicolandia Oragons, 82-68, and gained ground with a 7-3 record.
Held to a 37-30 count at the break, the Knights turned hot in the second half and led by as far as 81-57 in pulling down the Muscovados to 4-6.
Michael Calisaan paced a balanced San Juan attack with 12 points and 7 rebounds, followed by Dexter Maiquez with 11 points and 7 rebounds and Orlan Wamar with 11 points and 3 rebounds.
San Juan coach Sen. Jinggoy Estrada fielded 15 players, only one of whom failed to score.
Negros got 13 points and 8 rebounds from James Paul Una, 12 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists from Renz Palma and 12 points from Jefferson Comia.
Powered by Jammer Jamito and Marwin Dionisio, South Cotabato surged ahead, 77-52, only for the Oragons to bunch 14 points behind Charles Burgos and reduce the deficit somewhat.
Jamito wound up with 18 points and 7 rebounds, followed by Enzo Joson with 12 points, 5 assists, 3 rebounds plus 2 steals, and Jervy Cruz with 10 points and 4 rebounds.
Bicolandia tasted its 10th straight setback despite the 15-point, 9-rebound effort of Burgos and the 15 points of Shaquille Alanes.
The MPBL goes to the Caloocan Sports Complex on Tuesday with games pitting Imus against Abra at 4 p.m., Sarangani against Marikina at 6 p.m. and Zamboanga against Caloocan at 8 p.m.
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