San Juan, Batangas overcome MPBL rivals

San Juan pulled away after three quarters while Batangas City needed a fourth-quarter spurt to dispose of their rivals in the SportsPlus Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League 2026 Season on Tuesday at the Ynares Center Montalban in Rizal Province.

The San Juan Knights routed the Negros Hacienderos, 120-96, in the opener, while the Batangas City Tanduay Athletics bested Zamboanga SiKat, 72-62, in the second game of the round-robin elimination phase of the two-division, 26-team tournament.

With Zamboanga threatening, 53-54, at the start of the fourth quarter, Batangas responded with an 18-5 salvo, sparked by Jhan Nermal, to notch its 15th win against 3 losses in the South division, trailing Quezon Province (14-2) and towing Binan (16-4).

Nermal fired seven points in that span and finished with 21 points, 12 rebounds and three assists to run away with the SportsPlus Best Player accolade. He was supported by Rhinwill Yambing with nine points, Abdul Sawat with nine points, six rebounds, three assists and two steals, and John Ambulodto with seven points and 10 rebounds.

Zamboanga, which tumbled to 7-12, drew 14 points from John Arthur Calisay and 11 points, eight rebounds, three blocks, two assists and two steals from Joseph Gabayni.

San Juan poured in 33 points each in the third and fourth quarters to secure its 15th win against two losses, the last against the Quezon Huskers (71-78) on 30 July and move closer to North division leaders Abra Solid North (17-1) and Caloocan (17-2).

AC Soberano shone for San Juan with 22 points, spiked by six triples. three rebounds and two assists and was chosen the Best Player over Mike Calisaan with 17 points, two rebounds and three assists.

“That loss (against Quezon) was painful for us,” Soberano said. “We made adjustments, and it worked.”

Veteran Rey Hugnatan supported with 12 points and five rebounds, and so did Patrick Sleat with 10 points, including the Knights’ last eight, three rebounds and three assists.

Soberano said they (Knights) need to step up following the departure of key players Michael Phillips, bound for the Japan B. League, and Gerry Abadiano, bound for the Korean Basketball League.

Powered by Flever Dignadice and DJ Howe, Negros led, 25-22, before San Juan took control at the half, 54-48, through the efforts of Soberano and Calisaan.