Knights dump Oragons, Rum Masters tameTigers

MANILA, Philippines — San Juan took the solo lead while Batangas stayed close behind in the MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) Sixth Season on Wednesday at the Batangas City Coliseum.

The San Juan Knights dumped the Bicolandia Oragons, 99-58, for a 6-0 record that shoved them ahead of five-game streakers Biñan, Nueva Ecija and Quezon.

Showing their mettle, the Batangas City Tanduay Rum Masters trounced the Davao Occidental Tigers, 71-59, in the nightcap to climb to 6-1.

Pouncing on the token resistance put up by the Oragons (0-8), the Knights led by as big as 78-32, giving their coach, Sen. Jinggoy Estrada, the luxury of shuffling 14 players, 12 of whom managed to score.

With San Juan’s top guns fielded sparingly, Egie Boy Mojica emerged the Knights’ top scorer with 16, followed by Michael Calisaan with 15 points, John Galinato 13 points, Arvin Gamboa 11 points, and Michael Malonzo 10 points plus 10 rebounds.

Unlike the Knights, the Rum Masters needed to crawl out of a 19-31 hole before seizing control from the Tigers, who fell to 5-2.

Juneric Baloria tallied 15 points for Batangas, which also benefitted from Cedric Ablaza’s 12 points and 11 rebounds and Dawn Ochea’s 12 points, 4 rebounds and two steals.

Controlling the boards, 48-30, the Rum Masters poured 36 points inside the paint as against only 14 for the Tigers.