MPBL: San Juan rides depth, stays hot with dominant win over Quezon City

Michael Phillips, Nikko Panganiban, and Gerry Abadiano added nine points apiece as San Juan pulled away for good, 101-74.

Quezon City suffered its second straight loss and slipped to 6-5 despite five players scoring in double figures, led by MJ Joson. Joson finished with 16 points, eight assists, six rebounds, and three steals, while Kenz Rei Diokno, Jake Agoncillo, and Rey Publico added 12 points each, and Aldave Canoy chipped in 10.

The Black Bulls kept within striking distance at 40-36, but Soberano caught fire in the second quarter. He nailed back-to-back triples as part of four total three-pointers in the period to push San Juan ahead, 63-42, at the half.

In the opening game, the Batangas City Tanduay Athletics overpowered the depleted Iloilo United Royals, 102-67, to stretch their winning streak to seven games and improve to 9-2.

All but one of the 15 Athletics players who saw action scored, with Kraniel Villoria leading the way with 20 points, eight rebounds, four assists, and two steals to earn best player honors.

Iloilo, which fielded only six players, fell to 2-10 as only Dan Sara and Carl Kenneth Sumalacay provided consistent production. Sara finished with 25 points, four rebounds, and two assists, while Sumalacay added 15 points, six rebounds, and two assists.

Despite the dominant win, Batangas City’s poor free-throw shooting — just 6-of-14 or 42.9-percent — remains a concern for Coach Cholo Villanueva.

In the nightcap, the Bataan Risers stunned the Basilan Steel, 109-84, to snap a seven-game losing streak and revive their playoff hopes with a 4-7 record.

Joshua Gallano, whom new coach Myk Saguiguit brought in from Olivarez College, delivered 17 points, three rebounds, and two steals to claim best player honors in his debut.

The 6-foot-2 Gallano, Hubert Cani, and Alfred Flores sparked the breakaway with consecutive triples as the Risers surged ahead, 32-20, after the first quarter and never looked back.

Chito Jaime added 15 points, four rebounds, and two steals, while Yves Sazon contributed 14 points and two steals. Cani finished with 11 points and five rebounds, Flores had 10 points, seven assists, and two rebounds.

Robbi Darang chipped in 10 points, four rebounds, three assists, and three steals.

Basilan slipped to 5-6 despite 17 points, five rebounds, and five assists from Gab Cometa; 15 points and 10 rebounds from John Wilson; and 10 points, four rebounds, and two assists from Joshua Marcos.