San Juan Knights-Go for Gold rode bumpy roads before sprinting past the Marikina Shoemasters, 86-75, in the elimination round of the 2026 MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) Preseason Invitational on Tuesday night at the Caloocan Sports Complex.
Barely ahead, 57-55, after three quarters, the Knights turned hot early in the fourth and broke away at 71-59 to stay.
Mainstays Michael Calisaan and Orlan Wamar, and University of the Philippines recruits Terrence Fortea and Reyland Torres shone for the Knights in the payoff period.
Calisaan wound up with 15 points and 5 rebounds, Fortea 13 points, 4 assists and 3 rebounds, Wamar 11 points, 5 assists, 4 rebounds and 2 steals, and Torres 10 points and 2 rebounds.
Veteran Reynel Hugnatan and rookie Harold Alarcon, also from UP, contributed 8 and 7 points, respectively, for San Juan.
Marikina, which led at 44-35, got 18 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals from Deo Timajo, 12 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists from Lander Canon, and 10 points, 5 assists and 3 steals from Jethro Escoto.
