SAN JUAN went through two overtimes to subdue Makati, 95-92, on Monday and forge a semifinal tussle with Nueva Ecija in the MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) Fifth Season at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.
The San Juan Knights leaned on a clutch triple by Orlan Wamar with 63 seconds to go to take a 95-90 lead in the second extension.
Emman Calo canned two charities to push Makati to within 95-92, but JC Cullar missed a probable game-tying triple with six seconds left, closing the playoffs door on the OKBet Kings via a 2-0 sweep of their best-of-three quarterfinal series.
While the Knights needed to squeeze out their reserve power against the Kings, the Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards had little trouble disposing of the Payay Voyagers, 71-62, earlier for a similar 2-0 quarterfinals score.
San Juan Coach Randy Alcantara said it’s all about heart as neither team wanted to lose in the highly physical encounter.
In the end, the younger, fresher legs of the Knights, notably Wamar, Adrian Nocum, Marwin Taywan, Nikko Panganiban, Rhinwill Yambing, Egie BOy Mojica and Zach Huang prevailed over the veteran-laden Kings.
Nocum wound up with 22 points, 9 rebounds and 3 steals, but Wamar got his second-straight best player award with 16 points, 7 assists, 6 rebounds and 3 steals.
Michael Calisaan posted 14 points and 8 rebounds, Taywan 13 points plus 6 rebounds, Panganiban 11 points plus 6 rebounds, and Huang with 10 points plus 12 rebounds.
San Juan led by as many as 19-34, midway through the second quarter, but Makati fought back to cut the gap, 40-37, at halftime.
