Knights, Royals shine in MPBL opener

MANILA, Philippines — Former champion San Juan-Go For Gold AICC and Iloilo United Royals scored big wins against different opponents for early pool leads in the Chooks-to-Go-MPBL Invitational opener at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City yesterday.

The Knights walloped the Val City-MJAS Zenith, 97-64, in Pool C while the Royals pulled off an 83-77 victory against the Negros Muscovados in Pool A.

Orlan Wamar paced San Juan with a game-high 27 points with Arvin Gamboa and Jason Melano chipping in 11 markers apiece. Chito Jaime led Iloilo with 18 points.

“Hindi naman kami favorite, siguro na-hype lang. Ayaw namin ilagay sa ulo namin ‘yun at kailangan trabahuhin namin yun,” said San Juan mentor Randy Alcantara as the Knights aim to regain MPBL throne after losing to Davao Occidental last season.

The Knights and the Royals shoot for identical 2-0 records on Monday against Sarangani and Pasig, respectively.

Bacolod and Bacoor, Bulacan and Imus, Bicol and Basilan were to play last night to cap off a loaded five-game opener in the MPBL’s first tournament as the pro league.

League founder and Sen. Manny Pacquiao, Chooks-to-Go president Ronald Mascariñas, MPBL commissioner Kenneth Duremdes and Games and Amusements Board (GAB) chairman Baham Mitra led the opening ceremony.