By ADRIAN STEWART CO

The San Juan Knights-Go for Gold overcame a late uprising by Bacolod City of Smiles for a 91-85 victory in the 2024 MPBL Season at the Olivarez College Gymnasium in Parañaque City over the weekend.

Comfortably ahead by 21 points midway through the fourth quarter, the Knights were surprised by Bacolod’s huge run behind Louie Vigil and Alfred Sedillo to cut the deficit to 79-87.

However, San Juan got two straight baskets from Michael Malonzo and Michael Calisaan to restore a 91-80 lead before Bacolod responded with five straight points from Vigil for the final margin.

Dexter Maiquez top-scored for San Juan with 20 points to go with eight rebounds and three assists as they secured their second consecutive victory for an 11-1 win-loss record.

Orlan Wamar, Jr. added 15 points, nine assists, eight rebounds, three steals, and a block, while Calisaan and Malonzo contributed 14 and 10 markers, respectively, for the Knights.

Maiquez, a former PBA player with the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, said they were fortunate to get away with the victory as they used their height and experience advantage against the tough Bacolod squad.

“Madami ring mismatches and maganda lang din pumasa ‘yung mga guards namin, and nag-a-adjust din kami sa mismatches namin,” Maiquez said during his Player of the Game interview.

Vigil tallied a double-double of 33 points and 17 rebounds, while Sedillo contributed 27 markers, including six outside conversions, as Bacolod dropped to a 1-14 win-loss slate.

The Bacolod City of Smiles will look to snap their 12-game losing skid against the Valenzuela City Classics VA Cargo at the Nueva Ecija Coliseum on June 29 at 4:00 p.m./ASC, WDJ

SAN JUAN 91 — Maiquez 20, Wamar 15, Calisaan 14, Malonzo 10, Taywan 8, Soberano 5, Huang 4, Panganiban 4, Gamboa 2, Miranda 2, Mojica 2, Hernandez 2, Ubalde 2, Galinato 1, Ando 0.

BACOLOD 85 — Vigil 33, Sedillo 27, Peromingan 9, Pastias 6, Pardo 5, Ramos 3, Marilao 2, Manalang 0, Casinillo 0.

Quarterscores: 14-13, 34-28, 66-53, 91-85.