San Juan Knights

The San Juan Knights are a Filipino professional basketball team currently playing in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) based in San Juan, Metro Manila. It is one of 11 active teams based in Metro Manila, as well as one of four in the Eastern Manila District.

San Juan Knights
LeaguesMBA (1999–2001)
MPBL (2018–present)
Filbasket (2021–present)
Pilipinas Super League (2022–present)
Founded1999 (1999)
HistorySan Juan Knights (1999–2001)
Andok's–San Juan Knights (2001)
San Juan Knights–Go For Gold (2018–present)
San Juan Knights–GFG AICC (2021)
San Juan Kings (2022–2023)
ArenaFiloil EcoOil Centre
Capacity6,000
LocationSan Juan, Metro Manila, Philippines
Team colors     
Main sponsorPowerball Marketing & Logistics Corporation
Almeria International Construction Corporation
Head coachRandy Alcantara
Championships2× MBA National Championship (2000, 2001)
MPBL National Champions (2019)
2× MPBL North Division Champions (2019, 2020)

The team was established in 1999 as part of the Metropolitan Basketball Association (MBA) until 2001, then joined the MPBL in the 2018–19 season. They have also participated in Filbasket, Pilipinas Super League (PSL) where they are known as the San Juan Kings, and the Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas 3x3.

The team has been successful throughout its history, winning the MBA National Championship in 2000 and in 2001 First Phase, as well as the MPBL National Championship in 2019.

San Juan plays their home games at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in the MPBL. 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.

History

Founding

The San Juan team, owned by former San Juan Mayor and Philippine senator Jinggoy Estrada and businessman Sandy Javier, was accepted in the league's second season in 1999, along with two others; Surigao and Nueva Ecija. San Juan was called Knights in reference to the concepts of gallantry and bravery.

Metropolitan Basketball Association

During the pre-season, the team was able to snare 6-9 man-mountain Bonel Balingit from the PBA, offering him a three-year, P16 million contract. They also acquired playmaker and last year's member of the MBA mythical five - Gherome Ejercito, who was released by the Pampanga Dragons since San Juan was owned by Gherome's cousin Jinggoy Estrada. The other Knights includes Christian Calaguio, 1998 NCAA Most Valuable Player, and point guard Chito Victolero.

In the MBA's third season in 2000, the San Juan Knights captured the national title, they swept Laguna Lakers in the best-of-three semifinals and scored a 3–1 series victory over Manila Metrostars in the Northern Conference finals. For the national championship, the Knights defeated the Negros Slashers, four games to two, in the best-of-seven series.[1] The fifth game had a debris-throwing incident at the University of St.La Salle Coliseum in Bacolod City. The Knights were way ahead, 87–65, with 11 minutes and 38 seconds left in the fourth quarter when play was stopped. The Negros Slashers conceded Game five, giving the San Juan Knights a 3–2 edge in the series with Game six to be held at San Juan's homecourt - San Juan Coliseum.[2]

Team Game 1 Game 2 Game 3 Game 4 Game 5 Game 6 Wins
San Juan 76888485W1044
Negros 75779089L912

Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League

In April 2018, San Juan Knights returned to competitive basketball when it joined the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League, a then-newly established regional basketball league.[3] In addition, the Knights was also known as San Juan Knights-Go for Gold powered by Big J Sports due to their sponsorship with Powerball Marketing & Logistics Corporation and its Go for Gold program along with Big J Sports; Big J was also sponsored another MPBL team, Navotas Clutch, with PMLC also already owns the Go for Gold Scratchers basketball team in the PBA Developmental League.

MPBL roster
San Juan Knights roster
PlayersCoaches
Pos.#POBNameHeightWeightDOB (YYYY–MM–DD)From
G 1 Philippines Isit Jr., Carlos 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) 1984–02–21
F/C 6 Philippines Sarangay, Mark 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) Mapúa
G 7 Philippines Dennison, Ron 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 1993–11–21 Far Eastern
G 15 Philippines Buñag, Christian 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) Mapúa
F 18 Philippines Gutang, Justin 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 195 lb (88 kg) St. Benilde
C 27 Philippines Ubalde, Joseph (HG) 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 1984–12–21
Head coach
  • Philippines Randy Alcantara
Assistant coach(es)
  • Philippines Nani Epondulan
  • Philippines Yong Garcia
Team manager
  • Philippines Jun Usman
Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (EP) Ex–Pro
  • (HG) Homegrown Player
  • (FF) Fil–Foreign Player
  • (SGL) Special Guest License
  • Injured Injured

Head coaches
  • Randy Alcantara (2018–present)

Notable players

MBA

MPBL

Filbasket

MPBL records
Season Conf.Team nameElimination roundPlayoffs
DivisionFinishWLPCTStageResults
2018–19 Datu CupSan Juan KnightsNorthern3rd/13205.800First Round
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 Cup1st/16264.867First Round
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 InvitationalGroup C2nd/531.750Quarterfinalslost vs. Pasig, 66–70
Mumbaki CupNorthern3rd/11147.667First Round
Division Semifinals
Division Finals		won vs. Valenzuela, 2–0
won vs. Pasig, 2–0
lost vs. Nueva Ecija, 1–2
2023—TBD/1500–To be determined
Total elimination round6317.7882 Division Finals appearances
Total playoffs2110.6772 Finals appearances
Total franchise8427.7551 championships

References
  1. "San Juan bags national title". Philippine Daily Inquirer.
  2. "Slashers conceded fifth game; Knights up, 3-2". 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.
  4. Joble, Rey (May 31, 2018). "San Juan looks forward to new rivalry with Manila in MPBL". FoxSports. Retrieved May 31, 2018.
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