MANILA, Philippines — Streaking San Juan flaunted fearsome firepower in a 114-79 thumping of Pasig on Thursday in the SportsPlus MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) 2026 Season at the Batangas City Coliseum.
Sinking 18 of 29 triple attempts for a remarkable 62.1 percent, the San Juan Knights led from the start and as far as 81-45 en route to their eighth straight win and a 10-1 record in the round-robin elimination phase of the two-division, 28-team tournament.
In contrast, Pasig canned only 2 of 16 for a dismal 12.5 percent, which pulled it down to 7-4.
Orlan Wamar and Reyland Torres presided over the Knights' onslaught from long distance, both hitting perfect 3 of 3, followed by Royce Alforque, making 2 of 2, as San Juan caught up with Abra Solid North at second spot and stayed within sight of Caloocan (13-1) in the chase for playoff spots.
The Knights also struck inside, making 29 of 42 field goals for 69 percent, against the Pasiguenos' 29 of 59 for 49.2 percent.
Terrence Fortea tallied 14 points, laced with four triples, and 3 assists, and was chosen the SportsPlus best player over Michael Calisaan, with 14 points and 4 rebounds; Alforque, with 13 points, including San Juan's last nine points, and 6 assists; and Torres, with 11 points, 2 rebounds and 2 assists.
So dominant were the Knights that Coach Alex Angeles had the liberty to do platoon substitutions without affecting their smooth plays.
With the outcome beyond doubt, San Juan's Mike Phillips need not assert his dominance inside and settled for 3 points, knocking in his lone triple try, 7 rebounds and 3 assists.
The 6-foot-8 Phillips was included in Gilas Pilipinas' final roster for Window 3 of the FIBA World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers against New Zealand on July 3 and Australia on July 6.
Former MPBL back-to-back MVP Justine Baltazar was also picked for the national team.
With Wamar making 2 of 2 and AC Soberano and Nikko Panganiban doing 2 of 3 from long distance, San Juan stormed ahead, 56-37, at halftime.
The MPBL goes to the Pola Gym in Oriental Mindoro on Saturday, featuring games between Binan and Meycauayan at 4 p.m., Gensan and Zamboanga at 6 p.m., and Mindoro and Valenzuela at 8 p.m. TMT
