San Juan scrambled past Ilagan Isabela, 85-82, on Tuesday to share the Group B lead in the 2026 MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) Preseason Invitational at the Pasay Astrodome.
Trailing, 78-80, the San Juan Knights outscored the Ilagan Isabela Cowboys, 7-2, in the homestretch to join the Quezon Huskers at the top with three straight victories in as many games.
Michael Calisaan scored off the glass and Garry Abadiano canned a triple for the pivotal points of the Knights, the 2019 MPBL national titlist.
Abadiano posted 14 points and 2 rebounds, Calisaan 12 points, 6 rebounds and 2 assists, and Orlan Wamar 11 points and 7 assists in the win that served as the Knights’ gift to team owner Jinggoy Estrada, who was celebrating his birthday.
The Cowboys drew 16 points from Donald Gumaru, 15 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists from Delos Santos, 12 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals and 2 rebounds from Joseph Gabayni, and 11 points, 9 rebounds, 6 assists and 2 blocks from Dela Cruz.
The Cowboys hurt their chances to extend the game when Gabriel Capacio bungled two free throws, Arth Dela Cruz missed from under, and John Delos Santos committed an inbound error in their last play.
The Preseason continues at the Paco Arena on Wednesday, with games pitting Zamboanga against Muntinlupa at 3 p.m., Sarangani against Binan at 5 p.m., and Bataan against Mindoro at 7 p.m.
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