Chris Calaguio, member of the RP cage team that retained the title in the recent Kuala Lumpur SEAG, and Kalani Ferreria spearheaded the Knights’ charge at resumption of the contest to turn what had been a close contest into a ghastly rout.
The victory put the erstwhile fourth-running Knights to second place with a 2-1 (win-loss) mark behind the unbeaten LBC Batangas Blades’ 4-0 slate in the Northern Conference.
The Knights actually engaged the Eagles in a close contest in the first 12 minutes of play but then made their move in the second quarter that saw them shatter a 27-all count en route to posting a 49-35 lead late in the period.
Genesis Sasuman, who was traded to the Eagles by FedEx Laguna late in the First Phase for Rolly Menor and Mike Manigo, dazzled the crowd with his spectacular plays as he helped put the Eagles back in the game in the third quarter at 45-51.
But that was the closest the Eagles could muster as Ferreria starred in another San Juan run that gave the Knights a 75-58 lead.
Meanwhile, LBC Batangas went to Alex Compton in the homestretch as it turned back Nueva Ecija, 105-96, to stay on top with 5-0 mark. — Joey Villar