MPBL: San Juan turns back Pampanga; All-Star set in Binan

MANILA, Philippines — The San Juan Knights on Thursday quelled the Pampanga Giant Lanterns' final rally and prevailed, 73-68, securing a top-three spot in the North Division of Manny Pacquiao presents 1xBet-MPBL 2025 Season at the Caloocan Sports Complex.

San Juan saw a 19-point spread (46-27) reduced to just two, 61-59, with 3 minutes and 27 seconds to go, but Michael Calisaan scored four points on an 8-2 counter to power the Knights to their 23rd win against two losses in the round-robin elimination phase of the 30-team tournament.

The Knights trail the Abra Solid North Weavers (23-1) and Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards (24-2), and are way ahead of Caloocan Batang Kankaloo, who dumped the Muntinlupa Cagers, 81-58, in the nightcap for an 18-7 card.

The Quezon Huskers routed the Bataan Risers, 91-65, in the opener and claimed the top seeding in the South Division with a 22-4 record.

Calisaan wound up with 19 points and eight rebounds to earn Best Player honors over Nikko Panganiban, who contributed 10 points plus four rebounds.

Reigning back-to-back champion Pampanga fell to 17-8 despite Larry Muyang's 19 points and 16 rebounds, and Allen Mina's 15 points, three rebounds and 2 assists.

Powered by JP Sarao and Judel Fuentes, the Huskers moved beyond the reach of the Batangas City Tanduay Rum Masters (18-8) in the jostling for playoff slots in the South.

Sarao posted 18 points, spiked by three triples, five rebounds and two assists; Fuentes tallied 17 points, three rebounds and two steals; and LJ Gonzales contributed 10 points, eight rebounds and seven assists.

With Fuentes knocking in 4-of-6 attempts, Sarao 3-of-5, Topeng Lagrama 3-of- 5 and Gab Banal 3-of-5, the Huskers converted 17-of-36 for a high 47.2% 3-point conversion rate compared to the Risers' 4-of-27 for 14.8%.

Bataan, which skidded to 10-16, got 12 points from Hubert Cani and 10 from Alfred Flores.

Caloocan drew 16 points and six rebounds from Reil Cervantes; 12 points and five assists from Chris Bitoon; 13 points from Paul Sanga; and 16 rebounds, four points and three steals from Antonio Bonsubre.

Muntinlupa tumbled to 10-15 as only Marvin Hayes and Kurt Lojera struck back with 13 and 12 points, respectively.

Meanwhile, apart from the highlight All-Star tussle between the best players of the North and South Division, side events on tap are the exhibition between the executives of the North and South, the slam dunk competition, and the 3-point shootout.

MPBL Founder and Chairman Manny Pacquiao will play in the Executives game, according to MPBL Commissioner Kenneth Duremdes.

This year's All-Star is being hosted by the LGU of Binan City, headed by Mayor Gel Alonte. Admission is free.