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SAN Juan advanced to the MPBL Lakan season finale in the most anticlimactic way, defeating the controversial Makati Super Crunch on Wednesday 131-54 in the league’s return to play at the Subic Convention Center.
The Knights, as expected, dominated the exhausted Super Crunch early on to capture the most uneven victory in league history in the North Division title knockout game that was finally resumed after a year after the postponement of the league. due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The outcome of the game, however, seemed settled long before kickoff following news that Makati will only field five players in the rubber match due to a dispute between the players and management over their salaries.
The problem left the Makati core that led the team deep into the playoffs opting to exit the Subic bubble.
San Juan, however, returned to a familiar situation, reaching the final for the second consecutive season and a chance to win consecutive MPBL titles. After the 77-point victory, the Knights will face Davao Occidental or Basilan in the final.
The Knights got off to a 15-0 start and led as many as 78 points in the lopsided game.
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John Wilson had 22 points, while Jhonard Clarito added 20 points and 13 rebounds for the Knights, who had their 15 players scoring in the game.
Mike Ayonayon, returning to the Knights for this bubble after his first season with NLEX in the PBA, had a triple-double of 10 points, 10 rebounds and 11 assists.
Edwin Asoro scored 21 points, but Makati, which only had its local players making the trip, just didn’t have enough players to make it a competitive ball game.
The Knights will have to wait for their opponents, however, as the South Division finals between Basilan and Davao Occidental have been delayed with the Steel in quarantine due to a team member testing positive for COVID-19.
Scores:
San Juan 131 – Wilson 22, Clarito 20, Wamar 14, Ayonayon 10, Gabawan 9, Pelayo 9, Rodriguez 8, Bunag 8, Ubalde 8, Aquino 6, Isit 5, Reyes 4, Marquez 4, Estrella 2, Tajonera 2.
Makati 54 – Chapter 21, Sta. María 14, Carlos 9, Morales 6, Lloren 4.
Quarterscores: 38-11; 54-17; 94-36; 131-54.
