Knights level series, 1-1

Chris Calaguio rose to the occasion yesterday as Andok’s San Juan overpowered Negros, 86-72, to level their best-of-five series for the MBA First Phase crown at one game apiece before a jampacked crowd at the University of St. La Salle Gym in Bacolod City.

Calaguio, held to a measly seven points in last Friday’s series opener won by the Slashers, exploded for 23 points on top of four rebounds and two assists to help the Knights equalize the series, which shifts to San Juan for the next two games.

"Maganda talaga ang depensa ng Negros sa akin. Kaya lang nakapag-adjust ako kanina para maibalik ko ang kumpiyansa sa sarili ko. Kailangan namin ang panalong ito para mabawasan ang pressure sa amin pabalik sa San Juan," he said.

Calaguio, one of the league’s hottest scorers, was a pathetic sight on the floor in the first game where he went 2-of-12 from the field and 0-of-7 from three-point area. But it was an entirely different story last night as San Juan dealt Negros its first home defeat of the season.

The Slashers won their last seven games at home, counting the devastating 93-75 victory over the Knights last Friday. Should the series reach the limit, the fifth game will be played in Bacolod.

The Slashers trailed by as many as 17 points at 61-78 in the fourth quarter but managed to cut the deficit to within 72-81 entering the final two minutes.

But it proved to be their last hurrah.

as the Knights went on to score the last five points of the game – all on charities.

Also playing a big role in the Knights’ morale-boosting victory was pointguard Chito Victolero, who finished with 17 points, seven reobunds, six assists and nine steals.