SAN JUAN and Batangas thwarted separate rivals while Pampanga cruised to victory in the Chooks-to-Go MPBL Lakan Season on Thursday at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.
Ahead by 12 in the fourth quarter, the San Juan Knights needed to quell the Iloilo United Royals’ final rally to prevail, 70-67, and tighten their grip of the lead in the North division with a 24-3 record.
Just when the Knights were in cruise control, 67-55, the Royals sprang to life with a 12-1 blast, five from Rey Publico, and threatened at 68-67 with still 59 seconds to go. The Royals had a chance to go up, but Aaron Jeruta’s floater got blocked by Michael Ayonayon.
San Juan’s Jhonard Clarito canned two free throws with 3.2 seconds to go, after which Publico flubbed a triple that would have forced extension.
The high-flying Clarito wound up with 22 points, 8 rebounds and 4 steals, followed by John Wilson with 12 points, 8 rebounds, 2 steals, 2 blocks, and Orlan Wamar with 12 points.
Ayonayon contributed 11 points and 4 rebounds as the Go for Gold-backed Knights handed the Royals their 11th loss against 16 wins in the South division.
The Batangas City Athletics, on the other hand, relied on Rey Suerte to turn back the pesky Navotas Uni-Pak Sardines, 72-68, and boost their playoffs drive in the South with a 15-11 slate.
Suerte, the night’s lucky guy, scored the Athletics’ last eight points, including the dagger triple that sealed the outcome, 72-68, with 16 seconds left. He finished with 13 points, 5 assists and 4 rebounds.
Other major contributors for the Tanduay-supported Athletics were Jason Melano with 12 points and 13 rebounds, Ryusei Koga with 12 points, Jeff Viernes with 11 and 3 steals.
Also-ran Navotas fell to 7-21.
Powered by Mark Cruz’s triple-double, the Pampanga Giant Lanterns pulled away in the third quarter en route to a 90-70 rout of the Rizal Xentro Mall Golden Coolers and a playoffs berth in the North with an 18-9 card.
