Souped-up Knights upend Cebu Gems

San Juan brandished its new found strength behind three Fil-Ams as it scuttled a listless Cebu five, 93-72, for its first win in yesterday's resumption of the 2000 MBA Fedex Cup at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.

Christian Calaguio scorched the hoops with a game-high 23 points, including a long triple before the break, but it was the three Fil-Ams who put up an impressive show to the delight of the San Juan crowd.

Philip Newton, Kalani Ferreria and Rafi Reavis, acquired by the team to toughen up its backcourt with the loss of starting pointguard Gherome Ejercito to the Mobiline, combined for 28 points. Reavis had 11 points, Ferreria nine and Newton eight.

Cebu held on to a 56-55 lead after a closely fought first half but the Gems, who lost regular starters Rob Wainwright and Dondon Hontiveros in the off-season, were further crippled with the ejection of Fil-Am Matt Mitchell in the third quarter.

Mitchell was ejected from the game with less than 10 minutes in the third period for a second extra-motion.

Down at the Eagles' nest at the RMC gym, Davao relied on Rafael Santos' game-winning jumper to stun defending champion Manila, 86-84, and grab the overall lead with its second straight win.

Santos sank a medium-range jumper off a pass by Felix Belano, who led the Eagles with a game-high 35 points, to give the Metrostars their first setback.--