#LabanSanJuan: Makati finally breaks Knights' home streak to force North finals decider

WALANG FOREVER.

This is what Makati had said to San Juan after dealing the Knights its first loss at home to force a rubber match in the Northern Division Finals in a closed-door affair, 91-88 at the FilOil FlyingV Centre.

After being at the wrong end of a Game 1 beating last Monday, the formerly named Skyscrapers rose above to even the series at one game apiece, and ended the outstanding home record of the defending national champions, who came into Game 2 with a 10-0 record in the Lakan Season.

The last-minute hosting pick-up of San Juan came as Makati had to let go of it after failing to find a suitable venue, and locked it out to the spectators as a precautionary measure due to the coronavirus pandemic.

But that did not deter both sides as they played all out, with Beaujing Acot's side came out of the dogfight to send the series into a decider on Saturday, still at San Juan.

Jeckster Apinan put up a double-double of 20 points and 12 rebounds to lead Makati, in which Juneric Baloria joined the Thousand-Point Club after firing a top of the key trey with less than a minute left before half-time.

The former NCAA Rookie of the Year finished with 18 points, in which he fired 10 in the final frame to fend off the San Juan, who had to come back from eight down and had a chance to send the game into extras.

MVP frontrunner John Wilson had 21 for the Knights, but had his desperation triple hit the back iron as Makati held their nerve.

The scores:

MAKATI 91 -- Apinan 20, Baloria 18, Sedurifa 15, Torralba 14, Ablaza 13, Cruz 5, Villanueva 3, Atkins 3, Lingganay 0, Importante 0.

SAN JUAN 88 -- Wilson 21, Estrella 17, Isit 17, Clarito 12, Ayonayon 7, Tajonera 4, Wamar 4, Gabawan 2, Aquino 2, Victoria 1, Bunag 1, Reyes 0, Pelayo 0.

Quarter scores: 18-18, 38-35, 62-54, 91-88

Photo by MPBL