by Ernest Hernandez
San Juan bounced back from its humiliating defeat right on its home court last week to Quezon City with a resounding 82-72 game 2 win in the CBA Pilipinas Founders Cup playoff series at the San Andres Sports Complex in Manila on Sunday.
A week chopped off from their stunning Game 1 defeat where the Capitals came back from 38 points down, the Knights made sure their opponents will not complete another comeback this time despite nearly losing yet another large lead.
Joshua Saret dicusses with San Juan teammates Noah Lugo and Joseph Marquez during a timeout in the CBA Pilipinas game against QC last May 27, 2019 at the San Andres Gym in Manila (CBA photo)
Banking on another impressive start, San Juan built a 20-point lead, 65-45, with 3:51 left in the third quarter.
But QC threatened another comeback, ending the quarter on a 13-0 run to cut the lead down to seven, 65-58.
The Knights then showed they already learned their lesson, starting the fourth with a 9-2 run to reopen a 14-point cushion, 74-60, and never looking back.
Jhonard Clarito fired 14 points with 11 rebounds, one assist, and one steal off the bench for San Juan.
Joseph Marquez added 13 points, 15 rebounds, and one assist.
Clark Derige made 17 points, nine rebounds, one assist, four steals, and one block off the bench for QC, which played with only eight men.
Scores:
San Juan 82-Clarito 14, Marquez 13, Bonifacio 13, Victoria 12, Garcia 10, Buñag 9, Saret 5, Reyes 4, Acol 2, Ubalde 0, Lugo 0
Quezon City 72-Derige 17 Barua 16, Mabayo 12, Tayongtong 9, Medina 9, Castro 5, De Guzman 4, Santiago 0
Quarterscores: 26-16, 43-32, 65-58, 82-72