By Kristel Satumbaga
San Juan Knights drew strength from former pros Larry Rodriguez and Mac Cardona to repulse the Parañaque Patriots, 87-77, Wednesday for joint second in the North Division of the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League Datu Cup at The Arena in San Juan City.
Rodriguez drained 18 points and seven rebounds while Cardona chipped in 17 points, seven assists and six steals as the Knights improved to 17-4 and tie with the Manila Stars.
Last season’s NCAA Rookie of the Year Larry Muyang, who plays for Letran, also contributed 11 points and 10 rebounds.
San Juan’s win negated the efforts of Paolo Castro, who pumped in 25 points and dished off five assists in a futile attempt as Parañaque skidded to a fifth straight loss for 8-12.
Meanwhile, Rizal Crusaders scored an 85-73 triumph over the Imus Bandera to snap their three-game slide and improve to 6-14.
Eric Dela Cuesta paced the Crusaders with 18 points, six rebounds and seven assists, Jerome Juanico had 14 points and seven boards, and Patrick Bacay finished with 13 points.
Imus fell to 9-10.
