San Juan zips Makati in Q4 to take lead in MPBL North Finals

Jhonard Clarito just came just short of a 20-20. MPBL
By Dugout Philippines

SAN JUAN, MM—Defending champion San Juan-Go for Gold used a huge payoff period, mauling third seed Makati-Super Crunch, 76-60, to take Game One of the 2020 Chooks-to-Go MPBL Lakan North Division Finals, Monday at the Filoil Flying V Centre.

Trailing 46-51 late in the third period, San Juan unleashed 10 unanswered points to end the quarter ahead, 56-51.

Then the Knights wreaked havoc defensively in the fourth frame, limiting Makati to just a field goal and a freebie in the first 8:08 of the period, while scoring 15 to build a 16-point advantage with 1:52 left, 71-55.

"Noong halftime, sabi ko lang pantayan o higitan pa namin yung energy ng Makati para makuha namin yung panalo," said Knights coach Randy Alcantara.

Jhonard Clarito was solid in the paint, just missing a 20-20 game with 19 points and 18 rebounds to go with four assists and two steals as San Juan moved to 10-0 when playing at their home turf.

Datu Cup Finals MVP Mike Ayonayon had 13 markers, six boards, three dimes, a steal and a block while John Wilson added 11 points, eight rebounds, three assists, two steals and two blocks.

Cedric Ablaza paced Makati with 11 points while Joseph Sedurifa and Rudy Lingganay punched in 10 markers apiece.

Joshua Torralba only got seven points on a dismal 3-of-13 clip.

The Knights look to close out the series on Wednesday at the Makati Coliseum.

The Scores:

San Juan-Go for Gold 76 - Clarito 19, Ayonayon 13, Wilson 11, Estrella 9, Wamar 8, Tajonera 6, Pelayo 5, Reyes 4, Gabawan 2, Isit 0, Victoria 0.

Makati-Super Crunch 60 - Ablaza 11, Sedurifa 10, Lingganay 10, Torralba 7, Apinan 7, Villanueva 6, Morales 3, Atkins 2, Baloria 2, Manlangit 2, Asoro 0, Cayanan 0, Importante 0, Cruz 0.

Quarterscores: 24-11, 38-35, 56-51, 76-60.

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