SAN JUAN GAME LOG #2: Knights escape Pasay on their home opener

San Juan thought that their home opener would be walk in the park, but the Pasay Voyagers gave the Knights yet another fright of their lives before the reigning MPBL National Champions escape with a nail biting 74-72 win Friday evening at the FilOil FlyingV Centre.

Even the torrential downpour outside did not deter the home crowd from turning up in their first game at their own floor since Game Four of the Datu Cup Finals, as the Knights nearly blew a 21 point lead in the second quarter to notch their second straight win of the Lakan Season.

Andrew Estrella poured in 13 off the bench to lead San Juan, in which his basket  to open the second hiked their lead to 26-5.Larry Rodriguez, CJ Isit and Jon Wilson each had 10 with the former Rain Or Shine veteran adding 10 rebounds for a double-double.

Dhon Reverente unleashed an uprising with 26 points to lead all scorers also pulling down 16 rebounds, but was held scoreless in the final frame after exploding for 15 in the third.

Stepping up was former Muntinlupa Cager Jan Jamon who had 12 in the game, including a jumper that gave them a 69-66 lead with 3:09 left.However, San Juan also had the heart of the champion to rally back and take the lead for for good when Wilson picked off Jamon to set up CJ Isit for an uncontested lay-up, 73-72 with 1:27 to go.

The Knights held firm in the endgame as their defense inside the arc force Ron Lastimosa to came up short with his long bomb, and Jhonard Clarito split from the line for the final count.

The scores:

San Juan 74 — Estrella 13, Rodriguez 10, Isit 10, Wilson 10, Cardona 8, Clarito 8, Ayon Ayon 6, Saitanan 5, Wamar 2, Reyes 2, Aquino 0, Tajonera 0

Pasay 72 — Reverente 26, Jamon 12, Lastimosa 11, Moradas 11, Chan 5, Ilagan 4, Inigo 3, Vitug 0, Opiso 0, Belencion 0, Bustos 0Quarter scores: 24-5, 40-31, 59-56, 74-72

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