CEBUANO guard Orlan Wamar once again stepped up to help lead the San Juan Knights past the Davao Occidental Tigers, 84-65, in a rematch of last year’s finals clash in the 2019-20 Chooks-to-Go MPBL Lakan Season, at the University of San Agustin Gym in Iloilo City on Saturday night, January 18, 2020.
Wamar, a product of the University of the Visayas, came off the bench and scored a team-high 15 points spiked by three triples. He added two rebounds and two assists in less than 14 minutes of action to help the Knights improve to a league-best 23-3 win-loss record.
The Knights did their work early and erected a massive 26-point lead, 43-17, before it settled at 18, 49-31, at halftime. The Tigers tried to make a game out of it and trimmed the deficit down to eight, 57-65, but the Knights scored 13 unanswered points behind the efforts of Andoy Estrella, John Wilson, and CJ Isit to bring their lead back to a comfortable 21 points at 78-57 with just 3:58 to go.
Wilson delivered 14 points, seven rebounds, and two steals for San Juan while new recruit Renzo Subido added 11 markers founded on three triples and three assists.
Mark Yee and Yvan Ludovice registered 14 points apiece with the former adding 14 rebounds against five turnovers for the Tigers.
Despite their five-game win streak halted, the Tigers remained as the top seed in the Southern division with a 21-4 win-loss card.
In the other game, former University of Cebu wingman Al Tamsi sank five three-pointers and scored 17 points to push Iloilo past Zamboanga, 60-58.
But while Tamsi’s shotmaking helped keep Iloilo within striking distance, it was Aaron Jeruta that eventually gave the hometown team the win as he made a tough layup with 12.4 ticks left in the game to put Iloilo in front for good.
In the ensuing play, Zamboanga's Anton Asistio missed his three-pointer while Santi Santillan overcooked his floater to give the Royals the victory.
Santillan, the proud son of Lapu-Lapu City, led Zamboanga with 15 points and five boards while Alvin Pasaol contributed 14 markers on a 5-of-19 clip, alongside eight rebounds, five dimes against seven turnovers.
The Scores:
FIRST GAME
San Juan-Go for Gold 84 - Wamar 15, Wilson 14, Subido 11, Ayonayon 9, Clarito 9, Tajonera 9, Rodriguez 6, Isit 4, Estrella 4, Reyes 2, Aquino 1, Victoria 0, Bonifacio 0, Pelayo 0, Bunag 0.
Davao Occidental-Cocolife 65 - Ludovice 14, Yee 14, Gaco 9, Calo 8, Robles 6, Balagtas 5, Albo 3, Mocon 2, Bonleon 2, Forrester 1, Raymundo 1, Saldua 0, Dumagan 0, Adormeo 0.
Quarterscores: 26-13, 49-31, 63-51, 84-65.
SECOND GAME
Iloilo 60 -- Tamsi 17, Publico 14, Escoto 13, Jeruta 5, Racho 5, Arambulo 3, Prado 2, Parker 1, Gumaru 0, Mahari 0, Pantin 0, Li 0.
Zamboanga-Family's Brand Sardines 58 -- Santillan 15, Pasaol 14, Black 8, Rono 6, Reyes 5, Thiele 3, Villamor 3, Manzo 2, De Vera 2, Bonsubre 0, Asistio 0, Arboleda 0, Morido 0.
Quarters: 11-19, 32-35, 45-51, 60-58. (JNP)