By the Numbers: What Went Wrong for San Juan Against Zamboanga?

Heading into last Friday’s game, the San Juan Knights were riding on a 4-game winning streak which started after absorbing a 5-point loss at the hands of the Manila Stars. On the other hand, the Zamboanga Family’s Brand Sardines Valientes were aiming to better their chances of securing a playoff spot as they are caught in a complicated positioning in the South Division. And the fact that the Valientes are slated to face the Stars at the end of their schedule, they needed a win against the defending champions as a confidence booster. And that’s exactly what the Valientes got.
In a stunning turn of events, the Knights failed to put their shields up as the Valientes handed the defending champions what could be a fatal defeat as the Knights suffered a 69-64 defeat at the hands of the Valientes. Not only did that end the Knights’ winning streak at 4. It also allowed the Manila Stars to inch closer to the Knights in the North Division standings while the Valientes kept themselves in the race for a top 4 finish in the South Division.

64: A New Season-Low for the Knights

Prior to last Friday’s shocking defeat, the Knights’ previous season-low in scoring was 70 points which they scored against the Manila Stars. For the Valientes to actually limit the Knights who are averaging close to 90 points per game, to only 64 points is actually impressive considering that they have some of the best homegrown players in the MPBL, namely former professional player, John Wilson, Jhonard Clarito, and PBA-bound, Mike Ayonayon.

To be fair to the Knights, they were down by as much as 12 points and only came back late in the fourth quarter before faltering in the endgame. In other words, they cooled down during the first 3 quarters of the game and couldn’t get over the hump in spite of Zamboanga’s 23 turnovers.

33% and 25%: Unknightly Percentages

As mentioned, one of the reasons for the Knights’ loss against the Valientes was their shooting percentages. How bad were they?

John Wilson and Jhonard Clarito led the team in scoring with 18 points apiece. Clarito shot 46% from the field while Wilson could only muster a 35% field goal shooting. Mike Ayonayon was also bricking most of his shots as he finished with 11 points on 29% field goal shooting. As a team, the Knights shot 33% from the field including a 25% shooting from the three-point line.

15 Big Points from the Small Guy Asistio

To give credit to the Knights, they actually did a great job in limiting Alvin Pasaol to only 13 points although San Juan failed to stop him during the final stretch of the game. Leonard Santillan also scored 13 points for Zamboanga but it was the smallest guy on the floor who did the early damage for Zamboanga. It was Anton Asistio.

In just 20 minutes of action off the bench, the former Ateneo sharpshooter led Zamboanga with 15 points including two three-pointers. And for those who saw Asistio play in the UAAP, they all know what an Asistio can do for you. In other words, defend him with respect or he can make you pay. The Knights limited Pasaol to 13 points and yet, Asistio made them pay with 15 points of his own. Do you know what they all say? Never underestimate the small guy.

Photo is from sunstar.com.ph