HISTORY COULD rewrite itself on Monday as San Juan shoots for the national championship of the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League Datu Cup with a win against Davao Occidental in Game Four of their best-of-five finals series today at the Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan City.
The Knights have a chance to repeat the feat it once did in Year 2000 when it won the national championship in the then fledgling basketball league Metropolitan Basketball Association.
Almost two decades since, San Juan could be a national champion anew with a win against Davao Occidental in their 9 p.m. encounter.
Preceding the game at 7 p.m. is the awarding ceremonies where the league’s best individual performers will be feted.
San Juan head coach Randy Alcantara and his troops can sense the Knights’ ascension back to the throne, but they need to slay their opponents who are bent on stopping them and fight for another day.
The Knights are banking on their veterans John Wilson and Mac Cardona as they try to go for the closeout.
For his part, Davao coach Don Dulay said he believes Game Four will down to a game of possessions.
“Each possession is important and we intend to win every one of them,” said Mr. Dulay. “That’s our way of winning Game Four to send the series back to Davao.”
To win, Mr. Dulay knows he needs a more consistent game from his ex-pros.
Mark Yee, an MVP candidate, has been on and off, so is Leo Najorda. Billy Robles has yet to play a breakout game in the series while Bogs Raymundo and Bonbon Custodio have to check their emotions in what has been a highly emotional, highly physical encounter. — Rey Joble
