San Juan mauls undermanned Makati to enter MPBL finals

John Wilson needed just 18 minutes to stomp his dominance over the undermanned Skyscrapers. MPBL

By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA--San Juan made quick work of a severely depleted Makati lineup for a record setting 131-54 rout in Game 3 of the MPBL North Division Finals at the Subic Bay Gymnasium in Olongapo on Wednesday night.

With most of the key players not around due to a reported management issue, the Super Crunch-backed Skyscrapers squad, which only brought in exactly five homegrown players including former UAAP star Edwin Asoro and professional dunker David Carlos to the Subic bubble, struggled against the full force Knights, who even got to bring back NLEX player Mike Ayonayon to finish his MPBL stint.

San Juan opened the game on a 15-0 run, and Makati only got to break the ice at the 5:40 mark of the first quarter on a Bhabap Sta. Maria field goal.

It was essentially San Juan's show all game long as the team's 77-point winning margin set an MPBL record for the most lopsided victory, eclipsing Bacoor City's 109-56 rout of Paranaque during the regular season back in 2019.

John Wilson led the Knights with 22 points on 9-of-11 shooting, six rebounds, four assists, and two steals in just 18 minutes of play.

Jhonard Clarito added 20 points, 13 rebounds, four assists, and two blocks off the bench.

Ayonayon, who was cleared by the PBA to make an MPBL return, added a triple-double of 10 points, 10 rebounds, and 11 assists with one block.

Asoro led the Skyscrapers with 21 points, two rebounds, one assist, four blocks, and one steal.

San Juan will have to wait a little longer before they can determine their opponent in the national finals as the South Division final between Basilan and Davao Occidental has been postponed due to a suspected COVID-19 case within the Basilan camp.

[Related Story: Basilan-Davao Occidental decider postponed due to suspected COVID-19 case]

The Scores:

San Juan 131 -- Wilson 22, Clarito 20, Wamar 14, Ayonayon 10, Gabawan 9, Pelayo 9, Rodriguez 8, Buñag 8, Ubalde 8, Aquino 6, Isit 5, Reyes 4, Marquez 4, Tajonera 2, Estrella 2.

Makati 54 -- Asoro 21, Sta. Maria 14, Carlos 9, Morales 6, Lloren 4

Quarterscores: 38-11, 64-17, 94-36, 131-54.

Follow him on Twitter: @IvanSaldajeno