Author: John Michael Decierdo Agustin
Photo Credit: MPBL
PARAÑAQUE, Philippines—The San Juan Knights were met with the roaring crowds of Olivares College Gymnasium in Parañaque as the current top team in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) narrowly escaped the defensive system of the Parañaque Patriots.
All throughout the game, the battle between San Juan and Parañaque was pretty close, with the biggest lead only being 7 points. Both clubs went back and forth in the fourth period, with the 12th-seeded Patriots mostly controlling the lead until the 2-minute mark. Jielo Razon made a clutch fadeaway pocket three with less than 20 seconds remaining to cut the deficit to 2, 70-68. Then, Parañaque had the chance to send the game to overtime or seal the win after a steal by Philip Manalang and the ball in Razon’s hands once again. However, the 24-year-old guard missed his game-tying floater, resulting in a very close loss against San Juan.
Michael Malonzo Shines as Best Player; Orlan Wamar Struggles from Three-Point Range
Michael Malonzo brings home the Best Player of the Game award after putting up 10 points, 10 rebounds, 2 steals, and 2 blocks, as well as the much-needed defensive rebound to prevent Parañaque from making a second-chance basket after Razon’s miss in crunch time. Meanwhile, it was a forgettable night for Orlan Wamar Jr. after shooting 0-8 from behind the arc.
Still, it was a commendable performance by Jielo Razon, who finished with 18 points, 3 dimes 4 boards, and 3 steals, all while shooting 58.3% from the field. Other players from Parañaque who shone were JR Olegario (11 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals) and John Paul Sarao (10 points, 5 assists, 4 rebounds). Overall, the defensive scheme of Parañaque almost broke the hearts of San Juan fans, but it still wasn’t enough to beat the best team in the league right now.
The Knights just came off a strong win against the reigning champs, the Pampanga Giant Lanterns, on August 30 and takes over as the No.1 seed in the league and the North Division. With their victory against the Patriots, they have now won 15 straight.
Bacolod City of Smiles is now 1-24 after a devastating loss against the Pampanga Giant Lanterns
Justine Baltazar, the 2024 PBA first-overall pick, made his fifth triple-double in the MPBL this year after posting 14 points, 15 rebounds, and 10 assists. Pampanga wins in a blowout against Bacolod, 143-94, behind Jeff Viernes and Archie Concepcion’s 22 and 19 points, respectively. Bacolod’s Lou Vigil also had quite the night after scoring 31 points despite the huge loss.
The Scores:
- San Juan Knights vs. Parañaque Patriots (70-68)
- Pampanga Giant Lanters vs. Bacolod City of Smiles (143-94)
- Mindoro Tamaraws vs. Bulacan Kuyas (75-69)
