 |
| John Wilson became the first member of the MPBL's 1,000 Points Club. MPBL |
MANILA—John Wilson made his way into the MPBL history book as he led San Juan to a 109-99 win over Pasig at the FilOil Flying V Centre in San Juan City on Saturday night.
In a potential preview of a playoff first round match-up, Wilson became the first player to score 1,000 points in the three seasons of the thriving regional league, while he paced the Knights, who began life without Mac-Mac Cardona, in strengthening their hold of the top spot in the Northern Division and the entire league in general.
Entering the game with 996 total points, Wilson scored on two jumpers, a mid-range pull up against Jeric Teng and a wide open three pointer, to breach the 1,000-point mark just five and a half minutes into the game.
“Siyempre nakita naman namin na talagang masipag yung bata. Talagang tinrabaho niya yung nakuha niya ngayon. He deserves yung pagkakakuha niya sa achievement na ‘yon,” San Juan head coach Randy Alcantara said of Wilson, who finished with 24 points banked by 9-of-16 shooting on top of five rebounds, four assists, and two steals.
“Siyempre nakita naman namin na talagang masipag yung bata. Talagang tinrabaho niya yung nakuha niya ngayon. He deserves yung pagkakakuha niya sa achievement na ‘yon,” San Juan head coach Randy Alcantara said of Wilson, who finished with 24 points banked by 9-of-16 shooting on top of five rebounds, four assists, and two steals.
Although the Realtors kept the game tight for most of the first quarter, the Knights surged after dropping 31 points in the second quarter to open a 56-45 halftime lead and never looked back.
Mike Ayonayon added 18 points, eight rebounds, five assists, and one steal for San Juan, which moved up to a league best 22-3 record, a full game ahead of sister team Manila for the top seed in the North.
Jeff Tajonera pulled off a rare 150 percent eFG rating as he went for a perfect 2-for-2 from beyond the arc for all of his six points alongside one rebound. The Knights fired 17 made triples out of 33 attempts in total with Wilson accounted for six of those made long toms.
Teng finished with 31 points, nine rebounds, six assists, and one steal, while Leo Najorda added 21 markers, two boards, and one dime for Pasig, which failed to tie Bataan for sixth place in the North and instead let Caloocan tie the squad for seventh at 14-11.
The Scores:
San Juan-Go for Gold (109) – Wilson 24, Ayonayon 18, Aquino 12, Clarito 12, Wamar 12, Rodriguez 7, Tajonera 6, Ubalde 4, Victoria 3, Subido 3, Bonifacio 2, Reyes 2, Isit 2, Estrella 2, Bunag 0
Pasig-Sta. Lucia (99) – Teng 31, Najorda 21, Nimes 17, Gotladera 13, Manalang 8, Mendoza 7, Velchez 2, Medina 0, Chavenia 0
Quarterscores: 25-23, 56-45, 80-69, 109-99
Follow him on Twitter: @IvanSaldajeno
Mike Ayonayon added 18 points, eight rebounds, five assists, and one steal for San Juan, which moved up to a league best 22-3 record, a full game ahead of sister team Manila for the top seed in the North.
Jeff Tajonera pulled off a rare 150 percent eFG rating as he went for a perfect 2-for-2 from beyond the arc for all of his six points alongside one rebound. The Knights fired 17 made triples out of 33 attempts in total with Wilson accounted for six of those made long toms.
Teng finished with 31 points, nine rebounds, six assists, and one steal, while Leo Najorda added 21 markers, two boards, and one dime for Pasig, which failed to tie Bataan for sixth place in the North and instead let Caloocan tie the squad for seventh at 14-11.
The Scores:
San Juan-Go for Gold (109) – Wilson 24, Ayonayon 18, Aquino 12, Clarito 12, Wamar 12, Rodriguez 7, Tajonera 6, Ubalde 4, Victoria 3, Subido 3, Bonifacio 2, Reyes 2, Isit 2, Estrella 2, Bunag 0
Pasig-Sta. Lucia (99) – Teng 31, Najorda 21, Nimes 17, Gotladera 13, Manalang 8, Mendoza 7, Velchez 2, Medina 0, Chavenia 0
Quarterscores: 25-23, 56-45, 80-69, 109-99
Follow him on Twitter: @IvanSaldajeno
.jpg)
.JPG)
