San Juan put the clamps down on the Marc Pingris-less Biñan and handed out Tatak Gel’s first loss in the PSL President’s Cup following a 78-74 win at the Filoil-EcoOil Centre in San Juan late Saturday night.
More than dealing Biñan its first ever loss in the tournament, San Juan has vaulted to the top of the standings by notching its 14th win in 15 games.
Tatak Gel dropped to second with a 13-1 win-loss card.
San Juan made its presence felt on the defensive end in the third period, holding Biñan to just one field goal in a seven-minute stretch as the Kings created separation.
The Kings led by as many as 16 points, 61-45, in the 3:05 mark, behind a 16-3 run, with former Philippine Basketball Association player Dexter Maiquez waxing hot from beyond the arc.
Maiquez finished with 19 points, including four three-point shots.
But just when the Kings were about to put away Tatak Gel, Biñan gave San Juan a dose of its own medicine in defense in the fourth period.
Trailing 58-71 with still 6:03 left, Biñan held San Juan to just a lone field goal in a four-minute span, resulting in a 10-2 run as KG Canaleta, Tyrone Chan and Kenny Rocacurva combined forces to shove Tatak Gel within five, 68-73.
The closest Tatak Gel could come was within two, 74-76, off a Canaleta lay up with still 35 seconds left and Biñan had one last chance of equalizing the count, but Jayjay Helterbrand missed a runner, allowing San Juan to make it a two-possession game.
Michael Calisaan split his charities, but after missing his second free throw in the last three seconds, Mike Malonzo was there to snatch the offensive rebound and the young player came up with his own split to seal the game for San Juan.
Davao Occidental ran roughshod over Cam Norte, 122-88, in the other game.
Justine Sanchez led the way with 22 points, making 9-of-13 attempts from the field to spark the Tigers’ torrid shooting. Davao Occidental hit 54% from the field (45-of-83) while holding Cam Norte to just 39% (29-of-73).