Knights tame Tigers, grab solo MPBL lead

San Juan subdued Davao Occidental, 95-79, to wrest the solo lead in Manny Pacquiao presents 1xBet-Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) 2025 Season at the Ynares Center Montalban in Rizal Province on Friday.

Barely ahead, 60-62, the Knights banked on Dexter Maiquez and Orlan Wamar to pull away, 93-75, and seal the wire-to-wire victory that raised their record to 21-1 in the round-robin elimination phase of the 30-team, two-division tournament.

San Juan moved ahead of fellow playoff qualifiers Nueva Ecija and Abra, both with 20-1 slates.

Maiquez tallied 14 points, 10 in the fourth quarter, and 10 rebounds; while Wamar posted 12 points, nine in the fourth, eight assists and three rebounds for Coach Alex Angeles, who fielded all 15 players at his disposal.

Ron Dennison supported them with 11 points and two rebounds, followed by Aldrech Ramos and Nikko Panganiban with eight points each.

The Tigers fell to 8-13 despite the 24-point, five-rebound effort of homegrown Jansher Salubre and the 21-point, six-assist, three-steal, three-rebound output of Reymart Escobido.

Rizal Xentromall broke free in the third quarter and cruised past Ilagan Isabela, 71-63, in the nightcap.

The Golden Coolers erected a 54-41 spread behind Alwyn Alday and Michael Canete, and then relied on Samboy de Leon in the fourth quarter to improve to 14-7.