MPBL: San Juan escapes Paranaque: Pampanga wallops Bacolod

MANILA, Philippines – San Juan evaded the upset net to stay ahead of runaway winner Pampanga on Tuesday in the 6th MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) Season at the Olivarez College Gym in Paranaque.

The San Juan Knights banked on Michael Malonzo's back-to-back putbacks to nip the Paranaque Patriots, 70-68, in the nightcap; while the Pampanga Giant Lanterns routed Bacolod, 143-94, in the opener of another triple bill in the round-robin elimination phase of the two-division, 29-team tournament.

Malonzo posted 10 points — all in the second half — 10 rebounds, two steals and two blocks to clinch the Daily Fantasy Best Player honors for pacesetting San Juan, which extended its hot streak to 15, including an 86-80 beating of Pampanga on August 30, and climbed to 24-1 in the standings.

Trailing, 60-64, the Knights bunched six points through Dexter Maiquez, Nikko Panganiban and Orlan Wamar to seize control with 1:53 left.

JR Olegario split his two charities to move Paranaque within 65-66, before Malonzo came through with those four points that pushed San Juan's lead to 70-65, only 23 seconds left.

Jielo Razon buried a triple to put Paranaque within 68-70, but later missed a one-hander jumper that could have force overtime with two seconds to go.

San Juan also drew 13 points from Panganiban, 12 from Agem Miranda, and 10 from Maiquez apart from eight rebounds and two blocks.

Paranaque, which fell to 15-10, got 18 points from Razon, 11 from JR Olegario, and 10 each from Kristan Hernandez and JP Sarao.

Reigning Most Valuable Player Justine Baltazar chalked his fifth triple-double this year with 14 points, 15 rebounds and 10 assists on top of two blocks; while Jeff Viernes tallied 22 points, spiked by six triples, and four rebounds for Pampanga, which improved to 24-2.

Other Giant Lanterns who shone were Archie Concepcion with 19 points, six rebounds and three assists; Rence Alcoriza with 11 points and two assists, MJ Garcia with 10 points, nine rebounds, plus two steals; Kurt Reyson with 10 points, six rebounds plus two steals; Brandon Ramirez with 10 points plus seven rebounds; and Ronan Santos with 10 points plus five rebounds.

A two-handed slam by Lervin Flores followed by a one-handed jam by Baltazar off a steal shoved Pampanga further ahead, 86-62, with 5:12 seconds to go in the third quarter.

Bacolod skidded to 1-24 despite Louie Vigil's 31 points plus four rebounds.

Mindoro subdued Bulacan, 75-69, in the second game and rose to 10-16.

Jayvee Dela Cruz and Jhon Jerrick Caspe paced the Tamaraws with 16 and 12 points, respectively.

Bulacan, which slid to 2-24, drew 24 points from Jason Celis and 16 points from Khen Osicos.

The MPBL goes to the Orion Sports Complex on Thursday with games pitting Muntinlupa against Quezon Province at 4 p.m., Nueva Ecija against South Cotabato at 6 p.m., and host Bataan against Negros at 8 p.m.