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| Orlan Wamar sneaks a layup attempt against Marco Balagtas. MPBL |
SAN JUAN, MM—San Juan turned to its defense to deal Rizal a 79-64 beating in Game 1 of their MPBL Playoffs North Division First Round affair on Saturday night at the FilOil EcoOil Centre.
After a close first quarter, the Knights held the Golden Coolers to only 12 points in the second to open a 38-28 halftime lead.
Although Rizal managed to stay close early in the third period, San Juan went on a 12-2 run late in the quarter before limiting them to only five points within the first six minutes of the fourth to pull away for good.
Mike Calisaan had 16 points on 6-of-7 shooting, five rebounds, one assist, and one steal off the bench, while Dexter Maiquez added 14 points, four rebounds, and two assists to lead the Knights, who avenged their first loss of the regular season to the Golden Coolers in the process.
"Gusto lang talaga naming bumawi sa kanila dahil sa homecourt namin, tinalo kami," said Maiquez about bouncing back at Rizal, whose 109-104 win over San Juan during the regular season was considered by Senator Jinggoy Estrada, also the Knights' team owner, as a "nightmare."
Marco Balagtas and Alwin Alday each had 13 points with Balagtas also tallying 10 rebounds for the Golden Coolers.
Game 2 is set at the San Andres Sports Complex in Manila next Saturday.
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