BIÑAN CITY – The San Juan Knights and the Makati Super Crunch scrambled past their opponents while the Pampanga Giant Lanterns cruised to victory on Tuesday in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League Lakan Season at the Alonte Sports Arena here.
Trailing the Binan City Luxxe White Krah, 77-80, with 5:04 to go, the Knights bunched eight points to regain control and eventually prevail, 89-84, in the nightcap.
The Super Crunch also lagged behind at 61-62 with 2:03 left, before Juneric Baloria and Cedric Ablaza struck from the free throw line with a perfect eight charities against a lone basket by Imus Bandera’s Gelo Vito to win, 69-64.
Pitted against the cellar-dwelling Soccsksargen Marlins, the Giant Lanterns led as many as 51 points before settling for a 115-71 romp in the opener.
Already assured of a spot among eight would-be North division qualifiers, the pacesetting Knights, who hold an 18-win, 2-loss record, are chasing one of the top four berths which carry the home court edge in the playoffs.
Former pro Larry Rodriguez led the Knights with 17 points and 10 rebounds, followed by top gun John Wilson and Andrew Estrella with 16 each, Mike Ayonayon with 13 and Jhonard Clarito with 11.
Binan’s sixth straight defeat pulled it down to 6-14 in the South division, barely ahead of 5-14 Imus.
Powered by the 22 points of Baloria and the 20 of Ablaza, the Super Crunch notched their sixth straight win and climbed to 16-3 in a tie with the Manila Stars, who routed the Pasig Sta. Lucia Realtors, 69-56, on Monday.