The San Juan Knights displayed championship poise on Thursday night, overcoming a determined comeback by the Valenzuela City Magic to pull away for a 124-112 overtime victory in the MPBL 2026 Season at the Paco Arena in Manila.
The thrilling triumph marked San Juan’s 14th consecutive win, improving its record to 15-1 and keeping the Knights within striking distance of North Division leader Abra Solid North, which earlier improved to 16-1 after defeating the Mindoro Tamaraws, 97-81, in the opening game of the day’s triple-header.
After watching a comfortable lead disappear late in regulation, the Knights leaned on the brilliance of Orlan Wamar, whose clutch shooting turned the tide and allowed San Juan to escape with another crucial victory in the league’s highly competitive elimination round.
Wamar Delivers When the Knights Needed Him Most
Orlan Wamar was the undeniable difference-maker, producing one of the most memorable performances of his MPBL campaign.
The sharpshooting guard finished with 25 points, 24 of them coming from beyond the arc as he knocked down eight three-pointers, while also contributing six rebounds and five assists in an outstanding all-around effort.
His biggest moments came during crunch time.
With San Juan trailing and time running out in regulation, Wamar calmly buried a game-tying three-pointer with just 19.9 seconds left, tying the score at 108-108 and forcing an overtime period.
Once the extra session began, Wamar refused to let the opportunity slip away. He poured in 10 of his 25 points in overtime, including three more triples, helping the Knights completely seize momentum and outscore Valenzuela in the decisive stretch.
Following the dramatic victory, Wamar admitted the team expected a smoother outing despite earning another win.
“We didn’t expect the game to be this tight. There are many lapses and we need to adjust in our practices,” Wamar said after the game.
Knights Build Early Control Before Valenzuela Fights Back
San Juan dictated the pace for much of the contest, moving the ball efficiently and taking advantage of its perimeter shooting to establish an early lead.
The Knights appeared headed for another routine victory as multiple players contributed offensively, while their defense kept Valenzuela from finding a consistent rhythm during the opening half.
However, the City Magic refused to back down.
Valenzuela gradually chipped away at the deficit with aggressive drives, improved ball movement, and timely outside shooting. Their defensive intensity also increased in the second half, forcing turnovers that fueled transition opportunities and eventually erased San Juan’s advantage.
The late surge transformed the game into a tense battle that neither side was willing to surrender.
Overtime Belongs to San Juan
After Wamar’s clutch basket extended the contest, San Juan entered overtime with renewed confidence.
The Knights immediately took control behind disciplined execution and accurate outside shooting, with Wamar continuing to torch the defense from long range.
San Juan’s defense also tightened considerably during the extra five minutes, limiting Valenzuela’s offensive rhythm while capitalizing on key possessions on the other end.
The Knights eventually pulled away to secure the 124-112 victory, avoiding what could have been one of the biggest upsets of the season.
Balanced Attack Supports Wamar
While Wamar stole the headlines, several teammates played vital roles in San Juan’s victory.
Patrick Sleat produced 23 points, six assists, and two rebounds before fouling out late in regulation.
Dexter Maiquez delivered another complete performance with 16 points, eight assists, and six rebounds, helping orchestrate the offense throughout the game.
Recently signed to play in the Korean Basketball League, Gerry Abadiano added 12 points, five rebounds, and three assists, continuing to showcase the versatility that has made him one of San Juan’s key contributors.
Royce Alforque chipped in 11 points, seven rebounds, and four assists, while Terrence Fortea also scored 11 points to provide valuable offensive support.
The Knights’ balanced production complemented Wamar’s shooting clinic and proved crucial in surviving Valenzuela’s determined challenge.
COURTESY: TIE BREAKER TIMES
Valenzuela’s Effort Falls Short
Despite suffering its 11th loss of the season, Valenzuela displayed resilience and nearly pulled off an impressive comeback against one of the league’s top contenders.
The City Magic received balanced scoring across the lineup.
CJ Alattica led the way with 23 points, while adding six rebounds, six assists, and two steals in a strong all-around performance.
Shaq Alanes contributed 22 points, five rebounds, and three assists, while JR Olegario added 21 points, five rebounds, and four assists to keep Valenzuela within striking distance throughout the contest.
Angelo Obuyes chipped in 16 points and three rebounds, while Jay Collado finished with 12 points, five rebounds, and three assists.
Although five players scored in double figures, Valenzuela could not match San Juan’s execution during overtime, dropping to 9-11 in the standings.
Race at the Top Continues
San Juan’s victory ensured the Knights remained firmly in the hunt near the top of the MPBL standings.
Improving to 15-1, the Knights continue to chase Abra Solid North, which maintained its league-best record at 16-1 after defeating Mindoro, 97-81, earlier in the evening.
With both teams continuing to collect victories, the battle for supremacy in the North Division remains one of the league’s biggest storylines as the elimination round progresses.
Looking Ahead
The overtime thriller served as another reminder of San Juan’s resilience and championship experience. While the Knights acknowledged the defensive lapses that allowed Valenzuela back into the game, they also demonstrated their ability to remain composed under immense pressure.
Led by Orlan Wamar’s spectacular eight three-pointers and timely heroics, San Juan escaped Paco Arena with another important victory, extending its winning streak to 14 games and keeping its pursuit of the MPBL’s top overall record very much alive.
For Valenzuela, the defeat was disappointing, but the team’s spirited comeback against one of the league’s elite clubs showed that the City Magic remain capable of competing with the best teams as they continue their push for a stronger finish to the season.
