MANILA – Defending title holder San Juan–Go for Gold Knights achieved semifinals status in the 2019-2020 Chooks-to-Go Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League Lakan Cup after beating Pasay Voyagers, 74-67, in Game 2 of the quarterfinals at the Angeles University Foundation Gym in Pampanga on Feb. 20.
A clutch John Wilson game once again bannered the Knights to a huge 11-2 run that turned a 62-all score to a 73-64 advantage with 17.5 seconds left following baskets from Carlos Isit and Orlan Wamar.
Wilson finished the mission with a double-double performance of 17 points and 16 rebounds, while Jhonard Clarito also had his own version of the twin-digit performance in the same categories with 13 markers and 12 boards for the Knights.
“Naging ready lang talaga ang lahat ng players. Lumabas ‘yung character nila sa endgame, naging composed sila. Importante ‘yun sa playoffs,” said Knights head coach Randy Alcantara.
Dhon Reverente finished with 23 points, 14 rebounds, three assists, a steal and a block against five turnovers, while Jan Jamon added 11 markers and four boards for the ousted Voyagers.
Meanwhile, Pampanga Giant Lanterns earned a date with the Knights in the North semifinals series after finishing off Bataan Risers in their own quarterfinals showdown with an 83-80 Game 2 win.
John Dexter Maiquez finished the match with 19 points and nine rebounds, Levi Hernandez and Michael Juico added 14 markers apiece, while Larry Muyang chipped in a double-double of 13 points and 11 rebounds for Pampanga./PN
