San Juan Knights put away Caloocan in MPBL North semis opener

SAN Juan's cannons boomed as Caloocan's guns misfired for over five minutes, helping the Knights put away a 75-65 home victory in the MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) Sixth Season semifinal round at the FilOil EcoOil Centre.

Nikko Panganiban and Marwin Taywan conspired in a 15-point barrage that broke open what until then was a see-swaing game, 59-46, and pushed San Juan in the same boat with Pampanga, which tripped Nueva Ecija, 76-73, in their own semifinal opener.

The Knights and the Giant Lanterns can forge a North Division title clash with a repeat over their rivals on Wednesday, Oct. 30, at the Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center in San Fernando, Pampanga.

Ahead, 46-44, after three quarters, Nueva Ecija turned cold and missed six straight triple tries before Gabby Espinas broke the spell with a free throw, 47-59, only 4 minutes and 45 seconds to go.

Panganiban pumped in all of his six points, Taywan nailed seven, highlighted by two triples, of his eight, and Mike Malonzo added 2 in San Juan's fourth-quarter flurry that enabled the Knights to avenge their 78-79 defeat to the Batang Kankaloo in the elimination round.

Michael Calisaan notched 17 points, 12 rebounds and 3 steals, Dexter Maiquez chalked 15 points and 14 rebounds, and Orlan Wamar posted 11 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steals for San Juan, which remained on track of regaining the MPBL crown it won in 2019.

Taywan won Best Player honors.

Powered by Justine Baltazar, Pampanga broke away, 63-53, early in the fourth quarter, but Nueva Ecija rallied through John Wilson and JB Bahio, who knotted the count for the fifth and last time at 67 with his second free throw, 5 minutes and 15 seconds to go.

The Giant Lanterns, however, countered with eight points, capped by a triple by Encho Serrano, against a basket by Rob Celiz to lead, 75-69, entering the 3-minute mark.

Showing why he's the reigning MVP, Baltazar posted 15 points, 26 rebounds, 3 blocks and 2 steals. Serrano also did his part for Pampanga Coach Gov. Dennis Pineda with 19 points, including a charity with 9 seconds left, and 5 rebounds.

Other Giant Lanterns who shone were Kurt Reyson with 11 points and 3 rebounds, MJ Garcia with 10 points and 6 assists and Brandon Ramirez with 10 points and 4 rebounds.

The Rice Vanguards, who led at 26-33 in the second quarter, got 21 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists from Celiz, 15 points, 3 rebounds and 3 assists from Wilson and 9 points plus 5 rebounds from Will McAloney.

The MPBL playoffs resume on Monday, Oct. 28, with the South Division semifinal playoffs at the Quezon Convention Center pitting Batangas against South Cotabato at 5:30 p.m. and Paranaque against Quezon Province at 7:30 p.m.