Cebu Greats fall to Knights

CEBU, Philippines —  The Cebu Greats suffered their first loss in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) Season 8 at the hands of San Juan Knights, 73-81, last Thursday, April 16, at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City.

Cebu led by a hairline, 19-18, after the first 10 minutes of play but San Juan flipped the script with an explosive 26-10 rally in the second quarter that pushed the Knights to a 44-29 advantage at halftime.

The Knights sustained their momentum, surging ahead by as much as 19 points, 53-34, midway in the third frame.

The Greats could only pull within five points, 73-78, on a 3-pointer by Ron Dennison but time wasn’t on their side with only 25 seconds left to play.

Gerry Abadiano finished with 15 points and two rebounds while Michael Calisaan added 12 points and five boards to power the Knights to a second straight win.

Mark Meneses paced four Cebu players in double figures with a 17-point, 17-rebound double-double.

Brian Heruela scored 12 with five rebounds and four assists, while Wowie Escosio and Paul Desiderio connived for 21 points, eight rebounds and three assists but to no avail as the Greats fell to 1-1.