San Juan makes North finals; Makati stays alive

San Juan advanced to the North division finals even as Makati forced Manila to a decider on Wednesday in the Chooks-to-Go/MPBL Lakan Season at the sweaty San Andres Sports Complex.

Employing a choking full court press, the San Juan Knights trounced the Pampanga Giant Lanterns, 91-83, to sweep their semifinal series, 2-0.

The Makati Super Crunch, on the other hand, started hot and held off the Manila Stars’ repeated rallies to prevail, 75-59, and level their own semifinal series, 1-1.

Going smaller but faster, the Go-for-Gold-backed Knights banked on MVP contender John Wilson and Jhonard Clarito to better their scrambling 86-84 victory over the Giant Lanterns in Game One.

The versatile Wilson wound up with 26 points, 6 assists, 5 rebounds and 5 steals, while Clarito contributed 14 points, 14 boards and 4 steals for the Knights, who are aiming to duplicate their supremacy in the MPBL Datu Cup.

Other major contributors for coach Randy Alcantara were Mike Ayonayon and CJ Isit with 13 points each.

Pampanga, with top gun Mike Juico ejected early in the second quarter following a disqualifying foul, drew 18 points and 11 rebounds from Dexter Maiquez, 17 points from Levi Hernandez, 14 from Reil Cervantes, and 10 plus 9 rebounds from Larry Muyang.

While the Knights lived up to hype, the Super Crunch showed they are worthy adversary.

Ignoring the jeers of the packed crowd, the Super Crunch only allowed the Stars to make the first basket before surging ahead, 19-7, to stay and avenge their 74-77 loss to the Stars in Game One.

Former La Salle Green Archer Joshua Torralba was on target with 23 points, laced with 5 triples, for the Super Crunch, who shackled Manila hotshot Carlo Lastimosa to seven points after averaging 23 in the playoffs.

Makati coach Beaujing Acot got 15 points from Jong Baloria, 10 from Cedrick Ablaza, and 8 plus 17 rebounds from Jeckster Apinan, who frolicked inside without Manila counterpart Gabby Espinas.

Manila, being supported by Frontrow, drew 11 points each from Mark Dyke and Marvin Hayes.

With Makati ahead, 69-55, following a triple by Torralba and time down to 3 minutes and 5 seconds, many Manila supporters headed to the exits in surrender.

The  Super Crunch and the Stars clash anew on Friday at the same venue, with the winner arranging a North title duel with the Knights.