The San Juan Knights met stiff resistance from the Bulacan Kuyas before pulling off an 89-87 squeaker in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League Lakan Sesason on Monday at FilOil Flying V Centre in San Juan.
Ahead by nine with just 2 minutes and 28 seconds left, the Knights had to fend off a closing 7-2 spurt by the Kuyas to tally their 14th win against a loss that solidified their hold of top spot in the North division of the 31-team league.
John Wilson, the league’s most prolific gunner pushed the Knights ahead, 87-78, but the Kuyas refused to surrender, banking on Gwyne Capacio to reduce the deficit before yielding their sixth loss against nine wins.nd Andrew Estrella with 13
Wilson fired a game-high 24 points for coach Randy Alcantara, while Jhonard Clarito came through with 15 points and 12 rebounds.
Other Knights who delivered were Larry Rodriguez with 15 points, Mike Ayonayon with 14 and Andrew Estrella with 13.
The Kuyas got 18 points from Gwynne Capacio, 14 from Jhon McHale Nenmal, 12 from Jess Diputado and 11 from Stephen Siruma.
The Batangas City Athletics and the Makati Super Crunch also notched contrasting victories.
Leading virtually all the way, the Athletics dumped the Quezon City Capitals, 105-80, while the Super Crunch withstood the Binan City Laguna Heroes’ final assault to prevail, 92-87.
Powered by Jhaymo Eguilos and Lester Alvarez, the Athletics continued firing up to the end to nail their ninth win in 13 starts in the South division of the 31-team field.
Alvarez fired 23 points, issued 10 assists and grabbed 8 rebounds to complement the 20-point, 11-rebound, 3-block effort of Eguilos.
