CEBU Classic suffered another setback when it bowed to the debuting San Juan Knights, 63-61, in the 2025 Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) season at the Nueva Ecija Coliseum on Monday night, March 24, 2025.
Unlike in their previous losses, Cebu Classic displayed resilience after trailing 11 points in the first half, 36-25. The Cebuanos fought the Knights gallantly and came back strong in the third quarter, only to lose in the final seconds when Dennis Gabriel Santos missed a potential game-tying twinner at the shaded area that could have sent the game into overtime.
This marks the third consecutive loss for Cebu Classic since its opening 77-76 win against Caloocan on March 13.
Cebu mounted a 24-7 rally in the third quarter to take the lead, ending the period with a 49-43 advantage.
The combined efforts of Darryl Malinguez, Mark Meneses, Dennis Gabriel Santos, and Limuel Tampus provided a glimmer of hope for Cebu Classic as they extended their lead to 52-43 early in the fourth canto.
However, the Knights tightened their defense, disrupting Cebu Classic’s offense and forcing multiple turnovers.
Dexter Maiquez capitalized on Cebu’s series of errors, scoring points from the free-throw line to regain the lead for the Knights, 56-53, with 6:25 remaining.
Maiquez was well supported by Orlan Wamar Jr. and Arvin Gamboa, who helped San Juan extend its lead to 63-58 with 58.50 seconds left to play.
Jameson Hiro then hit a three-pointer to trim down the deficit to 63-61 with 35.50 seconds remaining, but that proved to be Cebu’s last hurrah as time ran out.
Maiquez recorded a double-double performance with 16 points and 12 rebounds, while Michael Calisaan added 10 points for the Knights’ first win (1-0).
For the struggling Cebu Classic, Santos, Tampus, and Hiro scored 14, 13, and 12 points, respectively.
How they scored:
San Juan (63) - Maiquez 16, Calisaan 10, Sabandal 7, Villapando 7, Wamar 6, Galinato 5, Gamboa 4, Tajonera 2, Villoria 2, Hugnatan 2, Alforque 2.
Cebu Classic (61) - Santos 14, Tampus 13, Hiro 12, Meneses 7, Maliguez 6, Martel 4, Holmqvist 3, Lepalam 2. (JBM)