San Juan Knights gets tripped by Batangas City Athletics

The defending champions San Juan Knights fell prey to the Batangas City Athletics, 93-88, and suffered just its second loss in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League Lakan Season on Monday night at the Batangas State University gym.

Up by as much as 18 points, San Juan could not stop a furious endgame run by the Athletics led by former pro Jason Melano who scored the game-tying basket with 1:29 to go, and Rogado, a former standout of the University of Cebu, who gave Batangas City the lead for good, 90-87, with a three-point play with just 58 seconds remaining in the ballgame.

Free-throw makes by Genmar Bragais and Dan Sara iced the win for Batangas City to lift their record to 11-5 (win-loss) and likewise put a stop to San Juan’s five-game winning streak and drop them down to 14-2.

Rogado ended up with 18 points, six rebounds, two assists and two steals while Melano had 15 markers, 12 boards, three assists and a steal for Batangas City.

John Wilson, a seasoned former pro, continued his torrid shooting streak for San Juan this season as he posted 28 points as well as 10 rebounds, five assists and two steals. Another former PBA player, Larry Rodriguez, added 16 points, 11 rebounds, four assists, a steal and two blocks.

(Image courtesy of MPBL's Facebook page)