MANILA, Philippines – Friday’s match between the Sarangani Marlins and San Juan Knights in the MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) 4th Season presented by Xtreme at the FilOil Flying V Centre in San Juan was another crucial fiery test skill for the Sarangani Marlins.

Match was skillfully played between the two battling teams, 4^th quarter buzzer resounds ending with 74 – 86 in favor of the San Juan Knights.

Sarangani’s previous game saw them lose to Batangas City (66-75) and as a result, they are now 10-3 overall and must defeat San Juan at 9 p.m. tussle to strengthen its push for a spot in the semifinals of the 22-team championship. 

In spite of this, San Juan shouldn’t be taken lightly; on August 22, the Go for Gold-backed Knights crushed the Marikina Shoemasters, 81-67, to improve to 8-6 and redouble their efforts in the single round-robin elimination round. 

The Knights were foreseen to rely on Judel Fuentes, Michael Calisaan, Orlan Wamar, and Marwin Taywan while the Marlins bank on YouTube star Kyt Jimenez, Yvan Ludovice, Gabby Espinas, and Macky Acosta.

The game started really hot and quick with a jump shot from Sarangani’s K. Jimenez misses, then followed by an aggressive defensive play. 

A beautiful shot by J. Fuentes of the Knights makes it and San Juan goes for gold.

Second quarter proved the match difficult with scores not far from each other. Knight’s Fuentes and Tajonera play an amazing shot and rebound on defense keeping the match tight until the next quarter.

At around 6 minutes into the fourth and final quarter, Wamar delivered a beautiful 3 pointer and scores giving San Juan a further 8 point lead into the ball game. 

Sarangani big men Ludovice and Jimenez top the team rebound list with 9 rebounds each, followed by ex PBA player Espinas with 6 rebounds for the team. In terms of rebounds, San Juan outplays and outlasts the Marlins with J. Fuentes topping the team and game board with 11 overall rebounds on end. Also an ex PBA athlete on the Knight’s end, D. Maiquez follows with 7 over all rebounds. These leading rebound stats add up for the day’s win in favor of the Knights.

M. Taywan of SJ knights has proven efficient in scaffolding team performance and ultimately pushing up the win with 7 assists.

Top scoring player of the match is J. Fuentes with a decent 29 points at game’s end. Jimenez scored 18 points as a counterpart in the Marlins roster as top scorer. But overall, the end game top score goes to Fuentes with an obvious big lead on this.

C. Buñag puts the cherry on top with a final jumper and scores a perfect shot. This ended the game with a smackdown 12 point lead.

Scores at the end of the game

San Juan Knight with 86 points.

Sarangani Marlins with 74 points.

Scores per quarter

16-23, 33-45, 55-64

Game win goes to the San Juan Knights 86 to 74, with a 12 point lead over the Marlins.