San Juan back in the National Finals after smothering Makati to retain MPBL North crown

Reigning MPBL National Champions San Juan never missed a beat after being away from the court for an entire year, after they sealed their return to the National Finals with a 131-54 mauling of Makati as the Lakan Season playoffs finally resumed Wednesday evening at the Subic Bay Convention Center.

Leaving no stone unturned, the full-strength Knights of Randy Alcantara pounced on the undermanned Skyscrapers right from the opening tip as they won their second consecutive Northern Division title, taking the series in the full route of three games.

John Wilson and Jhonard Clarito posted the game’s biggest index rating at 31, with the former leading all scorers with 22 points on an 81% clip from the field including 4/5 from beyond the arc.

On the other hand, the homegrown hero from last season’s Datu Cup conquest put up a double-double of 20 points and 13 rebounds to lead the unopposed bench mob for the Knights, who put up a whopping 77 on the board.

Combo guard Mike Ayonayon began his farewell tour in the league with the NLEX stalwart posted a triple-double of 10 markers, 10 boards and 11 dimes, a proof of his evolved game bringing him the lessons he learned from the PBA bubble.

“Medyo matagal napahinga yung mga players. Pero sabi ng mga coaches, go with the flow lang,” said the reigning playoff MVP.

It only took the first four minutes for San Juan to wrap up the series, scoring the game’s first 15 points and never looked back, setting a new league record for the biggest margin of victory which came at this juncture.

Before the final margin, the lead ballooned further to 78 with Cedric Pelayo hit a fourth-quarter trey for a 119-41 San Juan lead with 4:41 remaining in the game.

Overall, the Knights shot 59% from the field and totally dominated their victims in all statistical categories, including outscoring them from the paint by 62, fastbreak points by 44 and shut them out on second chances off offensive rebounds 51-0.

With a long break owing to the reschedule of the South finale between Basilan and Davao Occidental, the former Knight himself said that they will use the free time to get to their usual game condition.

“Kelangan din naming ibalik yung hinahabol naming practice,” Alcantara admitted, owing to the pandemic that kept them out of the court for almost a year since their last game, in which they lost their immaculate home record for the first time when the Skyscrapers equalized the series in an empty FilOil FlyingV Centre last March 11, 2020.

"Sinabi ko sa mga players huwag tumingin kung sino ang kalaban namin. Ipinakita ng mga players na hindi sila nag-relax, nag-effort pa rin sila para makita na convincing win talaga."

As their key players opted out owing to pay disputes, Makati put up a token resistance to end their season, with Edwin Asoro leading them with 21 markers with Mark Lester Sta. Maria adding 14.

The scores:

SAN JUAN 131 – Wilson 22, Clarito 20, Wamar 14, Ayonayon 10, Pelayo 9, Gabawan 9, Rodriguez 8, Ubalde 8, Bunag 8, Aquino 6, Isit 5, Marquez 4, Reyes 4, Estrella 2, Tajonera 2

MAKATI 54 – Asoro 21, Sta. Maria 14, Carlos 9, Morales 6, Lloren 4

Quarter scores: 38-11, 64-17, 94-36, 131-54

PHOTOS: MPBL