San Juan escapes Valenzuela

San Juan banked on Orlan Wamar to tame Valenzuela City, 124-112, in overtime and keep in step with pacesetter Abra Solid North in the SportsPlus Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League 2026 Season on Thursday at the Paco Arena in Manila.

The Abra Weavers subdued the Mindoro Tamaraws, 97-81, in the opener of another triple-bill in the round-robin elimination phase of the two-division, 27-team tournament.

Stepping up in time, Wamar pumped in 10 points, highlighted by three triples, in the extension period to lift the Knights to their 14th straight win and a 15-1 record, behind only the Abra Weavers’ 16-1 in the North division.

Wamar finished with 25 points, spiked by eight triples, six rebounds and five assists to clinch the SportsPlus Best Player honors over Patrick Sleat, who tallied 23 points, six assists and two rebounds before fouling out in regulation play.

“We didn’t expect the game to be this tight,” said Wamar, who also knocked in the game-extending triple at 108-all with 19.9 seconds left. “There are many lapses, and we need to adjust in our practices.”

Other Knights who shone were Dexter Maiquez with 16 points, eight assists and six rebounds; the Korean Basketball League-bound Gerry Abadiano, with 12 points, five rebounds and three assists; Royce Alforque, with 11 points, seven rebounds and four assists; and Terrence Fortea with 11 points.