San Juan Knights

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Professional basketball team in San Juan, Philippines

San Juan Knights
San Juan Kings

2024 San Juan Knights season
Leagues| MBA (1999–2001)
MPBL (2018–present)
FilBasket (2021–2022)
PSL (2022–present)
Founded| 1999; 25 years ago (1999) (first incarnation)
2018; 6 years ago (2018) (second incarnation)
History| San Juan Knights
1999–2001 (MBA)
2018–present (MPBL)
San Juan Kings
2022–present (PSL)
Arena| Filoil EcoOil Centre
Capacity| 6,000
Location| San Juan, Metro Manila
Team colors|
Main sponsor| Powerball Marketing & Logistics Corporation
Almeria International Construction Corporation
Head coach| Jinggoy Estrada (de facto)
Randy Alcantara (acting)
Championships| MBA: 2 (2000, 2001 First)
MPBL: 1 (2019)
Conference titles| MPBL: 2 (2019, 2020–21)

The San Juan Knights, also known as the San Juan Knights – Go For Gold for sponsorship reasons, are a Filipino professional basketball team based in San Juan. The team competes in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) as a member of the league's North Division. They are one of three teams based in Metro Manila's Eastern District and play their home games at Filoil EcoOil Centre.

The team's first incarnation was established in 1999 as part of the Metropolitan Basketball Association (MBA) until 2001. The name Knights was chosen in reference to the concepts of gallantry and bravery. In 2018, the Knights were revived as they joined the MPBL for the 2018–19 season. The team's second incarnation has taken part in other leagues, including FilBasket, Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas 3x3, and the Pilipinas Super League, the latter of which they compete under the name San Juan Kings.

In 2023, their volleyball counterpart, the San Juan Lady Knights became one of the eight charter teams of the Maharlika Pilipinas Volleyball Association (MPVA).

The San Juan-based franchise is one of the most successful home-and-away basketball teams in the country. Across both incarnations, the Knights have clinched three championships: two in the MBA (2000 and 2001 – First Phase) and one in the MPBL (2019). The Knights also made the MPBL's Division Finals four times in a row from 2019 to 2023, and the MPBL finals in back-to-back seasons (2019 and 2021).

## History

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### First incarnation (1999–2001)

[edit]

The San Juan Knights were founded in 1999 by then-mayor and current senator Jinggoy Estrada and businessman Sandy Javier. The team entered the Metropolitan Basketball Association as an expansion team for the league's 1999 season alongside the Surigao Miners and Nueva Ecija Patriots.

During the pre-season, the team acquired 6'9" Bonel Balingit from the Philippine Basketball Association to a three-year, P16 million contract. Joining Balangit are Gherome Ejercito from the Pampanga Dragons, a cousin of Estrada, 1998 NCAA Most Valuable Player Christian Calaguio, and Chito Victolero.

During the playoffs of the 2000 season, San Juan first swept the Laguna Lakers, 2–0, in the Northern Conference Semifinals and went past the Manila Metrostars, 3–1, in the Northern Conference Finals, bringing the Knights to the 2000 MBA National Championship. Game 5 of the championship series against the Negros Slashers had a debris-throwing incident at the La Salle Coliseum in Bacolod, Negros Occidental, as the Knights were way ahead, 87–65, with 11:38 left in the fourth quarter when play was stopped. The Negros Slashers conceded game 5, giving the San Juan Knights a 3–2 heading into game 6.[1] San Juan would go on to win their first of back-to-back MBA championships.[2]

Team  | Game 1  | Game 2  | Game 3  | Game 4  | Game 5  | Game 6  | Wins

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San Juan | 76 | 88 | 84 | 85 | W | 104 | 4
Negros | 75 | 77 | 90 | 89 | L | 91 | 2

### Second incarnation (2018–present)

[edit]

#### 2018–2020: The Ayonayon and Wilson era

[edit]

In April 2018, San Juan Knights were revived as an expansion team in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League.[3] The return of the Knights brought in names such as Mark Cardona and John Wilson. The team finished its inaugural season with a 20–5 record and clinched the third seed in the playoffs. In the playoffs, San Juan swept both Navotas and Quezon City, and won 2–1 against Manila to advance to the 2019 MPBL finals against the Davao Occidental Tigers. The series went all the way to a game 5 as San Juan won its first MPBL championship and the third overall in franchise history. Their winning traditions continued into the 2019–20 season, after facing only four losses throughout the whole season, San Juan managed to finish the season as the North Division's first seed. With a 26–4 record and a .867 win percentage, they also tied for best record that season alongside the Davao Occidental Tigers. As the playoffs began, the team swept through Pasay and Pampanga before facing the Makati Super Crunch in the North Division Finals. The series was tied before the season's suspension but San Juan were able to win deciding game 3 against a depleted Super Crunch squad to make back-to-back National Finals appearances for a chance to repeat against the Davao Occicdental Tigers. This time around, San Juan failed to defend their title as Davao Occidental won 3–1.

#### 2022–present: The Orlan Wamar era

[edit]

This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (December 2024)

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After the conclusion of the 2022 MPBL season, San Juan made their debut in the Pilipinas Super League, under the name San Juan Kings. In the 2022–23 DUMPER Cup, the team went undefeated in the regular season, winning all 15 games. After beating Manila in the Quarterfinals, the Kings met the Baltazar-led Pampanga G Lanterns in the Semifinals. Unfortunately, San Juan would lose to the G Lanterns in two games.

## Rivalries

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### Davao Occidental Tigers

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Main article: Davao Occidental Tigers–San Juan Knights rivalry

The rivalry between San Juan and the Davao Occidental Tigers is most prominent in the MPBL when both teams played in the National Finals in back-to-back seasons (2019 and 2021). Even though Davao Occidental has since departed the MPBL, both teams would still clash with one another whenever they compete in the same league. As of February 2024, the San Juan franchise has met the Davao Occidental Tigers a total of fifteen times across all leagues.

### Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards

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Main article: Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards–San Juan Knights rivalry

San Juan's rivalry against the Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards began in FilBasket when both teams clashed in the finals of the 2022 Summer Championship. The rivalry grew more fierce in the MPBL as both teams fought for North Division contention, with both teams meeting in the playoffs in 2022 and 2023. As of March 2024, across all leagues, both teams have met each other thirteen times.

### Pampanga Giant Lanterns

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Main article: Pampanga Giant Lanterns–San Juan Knights rivalry

In the mid-2020s, both San Juan and the Pampanga Giant Lanterns competed for championship contention when they compete in the same league. Since 2020, both teams met in the playoffs a total of four times across the MPBL and PSL, three of them occurred at either the MPBL division finals or PSL semifinals.

## Home arenas

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San Juan plays their home games at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in the MPBL and PSL. During their time in the MBA, they have played in the PhilSports Arena from 1999 to early 2000 and the San Juan Gym in 2000.

## Current roster

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San Juan Knights roster

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Players  | Coaches

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| Pos. | No. | Name | Height | Weight | DOB | From

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F/C | 2 | Calisaan, Michael | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)  |  | 1995–02–27  | San Sebastian
G | 5 | Wamar Jr., Orlan | 5 ft 6 in (1.68 m)  |  | 1998–08–17  | Centro Escolar
G | 6 | Soberano, AC | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)  |  | 1994–03–28  | San Beda
G | 7 | Dennison, Ron | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)  |  |  | Far Eastern
F | 8 | Ando, Dave |  |  |  | UST
F/C | 11 | Galinato, John Martin |  |  |  | National-U
G | 12 | Taywan, Marwin | 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)  |  |  | Emilio Aguinaldo
G/F | 13 | Tajonera, Jeffrey | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)  |  |  | Adamson
F/C | 15 | Gamboa, Arvin | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)  |  |  | Mapúa
F | 16 | Huang, Zach | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)  |  |  | UST
F | 18 | Mojica, Egie Boy | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)  |  |  | Adamson
F/C | 21 | Hugnatan, Reynel | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)  | 210 lb (95 kg)  | 1978–11–03  | Manila
F | 23 | Villapando, Kenneth | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)  |  | 1998–10–21  | San Sebastian
G/F | 24 | Panganiban, Nikko | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)  |  |  |
G/F | 27 | Ubalde, Joseph (HG)  | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)  |  | 1984–12–21  |
F | 46 | Soriano, Jopet |  |  |  |

Head coach

* Randy Alcantara

Assistant coach(es)

* Nani Epondulan
* Yong Garcia

Team manager

* Jun Usman

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Legend

* (HG) Homegrown
*   * (FF) Filipino-foreigner
* (SGL) Special Guest Licensee
* (RS) Reserve player
*   *   *   *   * Injured

* * *

* Roster – via Genius Sports

Updated as of: July 2, 2024

### Head coaches

[edit]

* Philip Cezar (1999–2001)
* Allan Pangarungan
* Randy Alcantara (2018–present)

## Notable players

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### Individual award winners

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MPBL finals Most Valuable Player

* Mike Ayonayon – 2019

MPBL Most Valuable Player

* John Wilson – 2020

MPBL Rookie of the Year

* Adrian Nocum – 2023

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All-MPBL First Team

* Mike Ayonayon – 2020
* John Wilson – 2020
* Judel Fuentes – 2022
* Orlan Wamar Jr. – 2023

All-MPBL Second Team

* John Wilson – 2020

PSL Mythical Team

* Orlan Wamar Jr. – 2023

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### All-Stars

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MPBL All-Star selections

* Mike Ayonayon – 2019
* Larry Rodriguez – 2019
* John Wilson – 2020
* Judel Fuentes – 2022
* Adrian Nocum – 2023
* Orlan Wamar Jr. – 2023, 2024

MPBL All-Star Game head coaches

* Randy Alcantara – 2020

MPBL pre-game event winners

* Orlan Wamar Jr. – Three-Point Shootout (2023, 2024)

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PSL All-Star selections

* Ron Dennison – 2023
* Paolo Javillonar – 2023
* Adrian Nocum – 2023
* Orlan Wamar Jr. – 2023
* Fran Yu – 2023

### PBA players

[edit]

Ex-PBA players

* Alvin Abundo
* Bonel Balingit
* Michael Calisaan
* Mark Cardona
* Rudy Distrito
* Samboy de Leon (returned to PBA)
* Jammer Jamito
* Chris Javier
* Larry Rodriguez
* John Wilson

Drafted to PBA

* Gherome Ejercito – undrafted, 2000 (signed later that year)
* Rafi Reavis – 2nd overall, 2002
* Chris Calaguio – 4th overall, 2002
* Mike Ayonayon – 3rd overall, 2019
* Renzo Subido – 24th overall, 2019
* Larry Muyang – 7th overall, season 46
* Jhonard Clarito – 17th overall, season 47
* Adrian Nocum – 24th overall, season 48
* Justine Baltazar – 1st overall, season 49

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## Season-by-season records

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| League champions

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| Division champions
| Qualified for playoffs
| Best regular season record

### Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League

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Season  | Regular season  | Playoffs

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Division  | Finish  | GP  | W  | L  | PCT  | GB  | Stage  | Results
San Juan Knights
2018–19
Datu Cup | North | 3rd | 25 | 20 | 5 | .800 | 3 | Division quarterfinals
Division semifinals
Division finals
National finals | won vs. Navotas, 2–0
won vs. Quezon City, 2–0
won vs. Manila, 2–1
won vs. Davao Occidental, 3–2
2019–20
Lakan Season | North | 1st | 30 | 26 | 4 | .867 | — | Division quarterfinals
Division semifinals
Division finals
National finals | won vs. Pasay, 2–0
won vs. Pampanga, 2–0
won vs. Makati, 2–1
lost vs Davao Occidental, 1–3
2022 | North | 3rd | 21 | 14 | 7 | .667 | 7 | Division quarterfinals
Division semifinals
Division finals | won vs. Valenzuela, 2–0
won vs. Pasig City, 2–0
lost vs. Nueva Ecija, 1–2
2023 | North | 6th | 28 | 19 | 9 | .679 | 7 | Division quarterfinals
Division semifinals
Division finals | won vs. Makati, 2–0
won vs. Nueva Ecija, 2–0
lost vs. Pampanga, 0–2
2024 | North | 1st | 28 | 26 | 2 | .929 | – | Division quarterfinals
Division semifinals
Division finals | won vs. Rizal, 2–0
won vs. Caloocan, 2–0
lost vs. Pampanga, 0–2
All-time regular season record | 132 | 105 | 27 | .795 |  | 5 playoff appearances
All-time playoff record | 42 | 29 | 13 | .690 | 2 finals appearances
All-time overall record | 174 | 134 | 40 | .770 | 1 championship

### FilBasket

[edit]

Tournament  | Elimination round  | Playoffs

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Finish  | GP  | W  | L  | PCT  | GB  | Stage  | Results
San Juan Knights
Subic 2021 | 3rd | 10 | 7 | 3 | .700 | 1 | Quarterfinals
Semifinals
Finals | won vs. Medical Depot, 88–73
won vs. Davao Occidental, 85–84
lost vs. AICC Manila, 1–2 (series)
Summer 2022 | 5th | 11 | 6 | 5 | .545 | 5 | Quarterfinals
Semifinals
Finals | won vs. Pasig, 93–91
won vs. Tanduay, 2–0 (series)
lost vs. Nueva Ecija, 1–2 (series)
All-time elimination round record | 21 | 13 | 8 | .619 |  | 2 playoff appearances
All-time playoff record | 11 | 7 | 4 | .636 | 2 finals appearances
All-time overall record | 32 | 20 | 12 | .625 | 0 championships

### Pilipinas Super League

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Tournament  | Elimination round  | Playoffs

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Finish  | GP  | W  | L  | PCT  | GB  | Stage  | Results
San Juan Kings
2022–23
DUMPER Cup | 1st | 15 | 15 | 0 | 1.000 | — | Quarterfinals
Semifinals | won vs. Manila, 1–0
lost vs. Pampanga G Lanterns, 0–2
2023–24
President's Cup | 2nd | 18 | 16 | 2 | .889 | 1 | First Round
Quarterfinals
Semifinals
Battle for third | won vs. Camarines Norte, 1–0
won vs. SGA–CSB, 1–0
lost vs. Nueva Ecija, 0–2
won vs. Biñan, 1–0
2024–25
Invitational | To be determined
All-time elimination round record | 33 | 31 | 2 | .939 |  | 2 playoff appearance
All-time playoff record | 8 | 4 | 4 | .500 | 0 finals appearances
All-time overall record | 41 | 35 | 6 | .854 | 0 championships

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Slashers conceded fifth game; Knights up, 3-2". Philippine Daily Inquirer.
2. ^ "San Juan bags national title". Philippine Daily Inquirer.
3. ^ "Pagbabalik ng Knights — San Juan, pasok bilang expansion team sa MPBL". ABS-CBN Sports. April 7, 2018. Retrieved April 29, 2018.

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Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League

2024 MPBL season

* Founder: Manny Pacquiao
* COO: Zaldy Realubit
* Commissioner: Kenneth Duremdes

North Division|

Abra Weavers
Bataan Risers
Bulacan Kuyas
Caloocan Batang Kankaloo
Manila Batang Sampaloc
Marikina Shoemasters
Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards
Pampanga Giant Lanterns
Pangasinan Heatwaves
Pasay Voyagers
Quezon City Toda Aksyon
Rizal Golden Coolers
San Juan Knights
Valenzuela Classic

South Division|

Bacolod Fyr Fyter
Batangas City Tanduay Rum Masters
Bicolandia Oragons
Biñan Tatak Gel
Davao Occidental Tigers
Iloilo United Royals
Imus Agimat
Mindoro Tamaraws
Muntinlupa Cagers
Negros Muscovados
Parañaque Patriots
Quezon Huskers
Sarangani Marlins
South Cotabato Warriors
Zamboanga Master Sardines

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Basilan (2025)

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Pilipinas Super League

2024–25 Pilipinas Super League season

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Biñan Tatak Gel
Caloocan Supremos
GenSan Warriors
Pangasinan Abono Reapers
San Juan Kings

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2022–23: Pampanga G Lanterns
2023–24: Quezon Titans

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San Juan Knights 2018–19 MPBL champions

* 0 Jeruta
* 1 Muyang
* 4 Wilson
* 5 Rodriguez
* 6 Reyes
* 7 Wamar
* 8 Parala
* 9 de Leon
* 11 Menguez
* 16 Aquino
* 17 Cardona
* 18 Ayonayon (Finals MVP)
* 19 Pelayo
* 20 Rios
* 22 Clarito
* 24 Marquez
* 26 Isit
* 27 Ubalde
* 28 Gabawan

* Head coach: Alcantara

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