The San Juan Knights warmed up in the second half to subdue the Mindoro Tamaraws, 74-62, to gain ground in the SportsPlus Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) 2026 Season at the Batangas City Coliseum on Tuesday night.

Powered by Michael Calisaan and Patrick Sleat, San Juan dropped 28 points in the third quarter to seize control, 58-49, en route to their 19th win in 22 starts t in the round-robin elimination phase of the two-division, 26-team tournament.

Meanwhile, the Bataan Risers leaned on a three-pointer by Yves Sazon with 11.3 seconds left to stun the Batangas City Tanduay Athletics, 65-63, and improve to 10-13 in the nightcap.

Sazon’s open jumper complemented the 15-point, including two charities with 22.7 seconds to go, seven-rebound effort of Edrian Ramirez, who was chosen the SportsPlus Best Player over Joshua Gallano, with 12 points, four rebounds and two assists, Alfred Flores, with 11 points and two assists, and Sazon, with 12 points, three rebounds and two assists.

Batangas City tasted its second straight defeat and skidded to 16-5, good for the fourth spot in the South division playoff chase.

The Athletics drew 16 points, three rebounds and two blocks from Jhan Nermal, who, however, muffed two free throws in the last 1:19; and 13 points, seven rebounds, three assists and three steals from Jeckster Apinan.