SAN JUAN GAME LOG #7: Knights display Champion's heart, topple Bataan in overtime thriller

You cannot teach the heart of a champion, when their backs are up against the wall.

That's what the San Juan Knights have done, proving that Bataan are only just a mere pretender after coming from eleven points down to take down the Risers in overtime, 87-79 and wrap up their July road trip of the MPBL Lakan Season Saturday evening at the Ibalong Center in Legazpi, Albay. 

Being the lone undefeated team in the league carries not just a huge load, but also immense pressure but somehow, the National Champions dug deep from a huge hole in the final frame to take down one of the favorites for the crown in the extra session, doing so in a come-from-behind fashion to win their seventh straight. 

San Juan saw their close half-time lead taken away by Bataan in the third, as the Risers were already ahead 72-61 with 1:43 in the game. Mar Villahermosa went to the length of the court for a coast-to-coast lay up, as Jong Uichico and his wards are already thinking of their celebrations for dealing the Knights its first loss. 

Enter Michael Ayonayon. 

The reigning postseason MVP caught fire after being held to just three points in the early stages, as he fired all but one of the 11 unanswered to force the game into overtime. 

He then added five more as San Juan bucked another deficit to wound up with 18 for the game, backstopping John Wilson's game high of 22 (including 5/10 from beyond the arc). 

For Bataan, Santi Santillan's 15 was not enough for them to avoid a 3-4 hole, which was not an ideal record for a team that is considered one of the contenders. 

The scores: 

San Juan 87 -- Wilson 22, Ayonayon 18, Rodriguez 11, Cardona 10, Estrella 8, Clarito 8, Aquino 5, Isit 5, Tajonera 0, Saitanan 0, Reyes 0

Bataan 79 -- Santillan 15, Reyes 11, Asistio 10, Najorda 9, Manganti 9, Batino 6, Castro 6, Villahermosa 6, Villarias 4, Jaime 3, Tolentino 0

Quarter scores: 16-15, 34-32, 53-46, 72-72 (reg.), 87-79 (OT) 

(file photo by Harold Biado/San Juan Knights) 

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