SAN Juan brought down Manila, 84-80, on Wednesday in the MPBL Datu Cup at the Filoil Flying V Arena.
The Knights picked up their 13th win in 16 games to move up to solo second spot behind tournament leader Bataan Risers. The loss dropped Manila to third spot with a 12-3 slate.
Larry Rodriguez and Mike Ayonayon combined forces in the final minute of the overtime, propelling their squad in a down to the wire encounter.
Rodriguez completed a three-point play while Ayonayon came away with a breakaway lay up.
San Juan was trailing by a point entering the final minute of the overtime period when Rodriguez powered his way to the basket and picked up a foul from Chris Bitoon. He completed the three-point play to shove the Knights ahead, 82-80.
In the next play, Manila went to its main man Riel Cervantes, who picked up a foul from Rodriguez with 42 seconds left. The usually reliable forward missed both shots from the foul line but the Stars got another chance when Marcy Arellano stole the ball from Laryr Muyang after a rebound scramble.
The Stars had two chances which they both muffed - a missed a jumper from Cervantes and a misfired long two from Bitoon. That allowed the Knights to score off a transition play as Mike Ayonayon went coast to coast for a breakaway lay up – and the insurance basket.
Imus Bandera pulled off one of the biggest come from behind victories in MPBL, fighting back from 26 points down to beat the Navotas Clutch, 79-78.
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