San Juan caught Sarangani off guard, while Pasig defeated Muntinlupa in overtime on Friday in the fourth season of the OKBet-MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) presented by Xtreme at the FilOil Flying V Centre in San Juan.
The San Juan Knights cruised to a coast-to-coast 86-74 victory over the Sarangani Marlins in the nightcap of another triple-bill in the single robin-elimination phase of the 22-team tournament, leaning on the hot hands of Judel Fuentes.
Pasig’s nine points in the extended session were accounted for by Jason Melano and Carlo Lastimosa as the Realtors defeated the Muntinlupa Cagers 92-89.
Bacolod Bingo Plus defeated Caloocan 95-84 in the opening and improved its playoff chances with a 9-win, 6-loss record, matching San Juan and trailing Pasig’s 9-5 record.
The 5’10” Fuentes, a former Central Escolar University standout, scored a game-high 29 points, including six three-pointers, grabbed 11 rebounds, and dished out three assists to lead the Go for Gold-backed Knights beat the Marlins, who fell to 10-4.
Dexter Maiquez had 13 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 assists to go along with Orlan Wamar’s 12 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists.
San Juan led 41-26 after back-to-back triples by Fuentes, and Sarangani could only go as close as 64-73 in the fourth quarter.
YouTube sensation Kyt Jimenez led Sarangani with 18 points, 9 rebounds, and 4 assists, followed by Yvan Ludovice with 14 points and 9 rebounds and Gabby Espinas with 10 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists.
Muntinlupa had a 75-67 lead until Pasig exploded for a 13-point bomb to take the lead, 80-75. Ivan Villanueva, on the other hand, scored 5 points and Domark Matillano hit a three to tie the game at 83-83.
