Knights rout Marlins for 11th straight win

The San Juan Knights recovered from a slow start before pulling away for a convincing 110-76 victory over the Sarangani 10ACT Marlins on Saturday in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) 2026 Season at the Caloocan Sports Complex.

San Juan found itself trailing after the opening quarter, 18-14, as Sarangani closed the period with a jumper from Ralph Tansingco and a driving layup by Carl Bryan Lacap with 1.7 seconds left.

The Knights quickly took control in the second quarter, erupting for 32 points behind the combined efforts of Michael Calisaan, JP Boral, and Reyland Torres to turn a four-point deficit into a comfortable 46-32 halftime advantage.

The win improved San Juan to 12-1 in the elimination round of the 27-team, two-division tournament, extending its winning streak to 11 games while remaining third in the North Division behind Caloocan (14-1) and Abra (13-1).

Torres, a former University of the Philippines standout, led the Knights with 17 points, three assists, and two rebounds. Calisaan added 15 points and eight rebounds, while former University of Perpetual Help-Dalta forward JP Boral contributed 14 points and six boards.

Calisaan, who previously starred for San Sebastian College, was named Best Player of the Game after helping pace another balanced offensive performance. Dexter Maiquez finished with 12 points and seven rebounds, Patrick Sleat added 12 points and five boards, while Royce Alforque narrowly missed a double-double with 10 points, nine rebounds, and three assists.

Sarangani slipped to 2-14 despite 18 points and six rebounds from Larce Sunga. Lacap chipped in 14 points, three assists, and two rebounds, while Migs Pascual added 12 points, four assists, and two rebounds.

Torres scored 12 of his 17 points after halftime as the Knights continued to pull away, stretching their lead to as many as 36 points, 104-68, before cruising to another lopsided victory.

MPBL action resumes on Monday at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig, with Negros taking on Cebu at 4 p.m., Imus facing Bataan at 6 p.m., and Pasig squaring off against Mindoro at 8 p.m.