MPBL: San Juan clobbers Makati to draw first blood in division finals

MANILA, Philippines – Defending champion San Juan-Go for Gold used a huge fourth quarter to overwhelm No. 3 Makati-Super Crunch, 76-60, in Game 1 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 scored 10 unanswered points to end the final quarter with a 56-51 advantage.

The Knights proceeded to dominate the fourth frame, thanks to their defense, as they held Makati to just one field goal and one free throw in the first eight minutes and eight seconds of the period. They had 15 points of their own to build a comfortable 71-55 lead with 1:52 to play.

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

• READ: COVID-19- related issues led to Monday's south division finals Game 1 tipping off close to 11 p.m.

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 contributed 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.

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

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