#LabanSanJuan: Knights brushed aside Pampanga, book return to North Finals

MANILA -- After a heated affair, it was San Juan who got the cooler head after punching their return trip to the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) Northern Division Finals with a 91-83 thriller over Pampanga Wednesday evening  at the San Andres Gym.

After their morale boosting series opener last Friday, the Knights have expected that the Giant Lanterns will come out swinging as they are already on the ropes, but they have been caught by the extreme elements in the oven hot conditions in the nation's capital.

But the mental fortitude that made them the reigning national champions have got then through in the end game, sweeping their semifinal series in two closely-fought games, with Manila and Makati contesting the other spot.

San Juan skipper John Wilson lead by example, firing in 26 points to lead all scorers, making a field day from the stripe by hitting 12/14 free throws. He added six assists, five rebounds and five steals for an all around performance.

The veteran ex-pro had help with Jhonard Clarito adding a double-double of 14 points and 14 rebounds, and Mike Ayonayon and CJ Isit who had 13 each.

Game two had bad blood written all over it, and it showed when Pampanga all-star Michael Juico was sent to the showers with 37 seconds remaining in the opening frame, after he was slapped with a disqualifying by crew chief Carol Guay after he was caught punching Art Aquino in the midsection.

Tempers flared all over anew in the third, when Reil Cervantes barreled through Clarito and Isit that caused even Sen. Jinggoy to charge through the former Far Eastern University big man.

But that did not deter the Knights as they were on their midst of their 17-3 crippler that gave them the go-ahead, and even lead by as much as 13 on Clarito's putback with 3:06 remaining to set off the early celebrations.

The scores:

SAN JUAN 91 -- Wilson 26, Clarito 14, Ayonayon 13, Isit 13, Estrella 8, Tajonera 5, Gabawan 4, Wamar 3, Aquino 3, Buñag 2, Rodriguez 0, Reyes 0

PAMPANGA 83 -- Maiquez 18, Hernandez 17, Cervantes 14, Muyang 10, Apreku 7, Cruz 6, Thompson 4, Alberto 4, Gomez 2, Fabian 1, Juico 0, Concepcion 0

Quarter scores: 26-25, 48-50, 69-64, 91-83

Photo by Harold Biado/San Juan Knights