CEBUANO Mon Rogado and Jason Melano conspired to make key baskets down the stretch as the Batangas City Athletics upset the defending champions San Juan Knights, 93-88, in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League Lakan Season at the Batangas State University gym on Monday night, October 7, 2019.
Down by as much as 18, the Athletics never gave up and took over in the endgame with Melano scoring the game-tying basket with 1:29 to go before Rogado, a former standout of the University of Cebu, put them in front for good, 90-87, with a three-point play with just 58 seconds remaining in the ballgame.
Free-throw makes by Genmar Bragais and Dan Sara iced the win for Batangas City to lift their record to 11-5 (win-loss) and likewise put a top to San Juan’s five-game winning streak and drop them down to 14-2.
Rogado ended up with a team-leading 18 points, six rebounds, two assists and two steals while Melano had 15 markers, 12 boards, three assists and a steal.
John Wilson, a seasoned former pro, continued his torrid shooting streak for San Juan this season as he posted 28 points as well as 10 rebounds, five assists and two steals. Another former PBA player, Larry Rodriguez, added 16 points, 11 rebounds, four assists, a steal and two blocks. (JNP)