Knights bounce back with 24-point rout of Hacienderos

The San Juan Knights responded emphatically from their previous defeat, overpowering the Negros Hacienderos, 120-96, on Tuesday in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) 2026 Season at the Ynares Center Montalban in Rizal Province.

After taking a narrow 54-48 lead into halftime, the Knights dominated the second half, scoring 33 points in both the third and fourth quarters to improve to 15-2 in the round-robin elimination phase of the 26-team tournament. The victory came five days after San Juan suffered a 78-71 loss to the Quezon Huskers.

AC Soberano led the way with 22 points, knocking down six three-pointers while adding three rebounds and two assists. Mike Calisaan contributed 17 points, three assists, and two rebounds.

"That loss (against Quezon) was painful for us," Soberano said. "We made adjustments, and it worked."

Veteran Rey Hugnatan added 12 points and five rebounds, while Patrick Sleat finished with 10 points, including San Juan's final eight, along with three rebounds and three assists.

Soberano also acknowledged the team's need to elevate its level of play following the departures of Michael Phillips, who joined Japan's B.League, and Gerry Abadiano, who is bound for the Korean Basketball League.

Negros actually led 25-22 after the opening quarter behind Flever Dignadice and DJ Howe before San Juan took control prior to halftime through the efforts of Soberano and Calisaan.

The Hacienderos dropped to a league-worst 1-17 in the South Division despite 22 points, five assists, and three rebounds from Howe. Michael Alvarez posted 16 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists, while Dignadice and Lorenz Vajar scored 11 points apiece.

The tournament resumes on Thursday at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan, with Bulacan facing Pasig at 3 p.m., Bataan taking on Abra at 5 p.m., and Parañaque meeting Basilan at 7 p.m.