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San Juan Knights
San Juan Kings
2024 San Juan Knights season
San Juan Knights San Juan Kings logo
LeaguesMBA (1999–2001)
MPBL (2018–present)
FilBasket (2021–2022)
PSL (2022–present)
Founded1999; 25 years ago (1999) (first incarnation)
2018; 6 years ago (2018) (second incarnation)
HistorySan Juan Knights
1999–2001 (MBA)
2018–present (MPBL)
San Juan Kings
2022–present (PSL)
ArenaFiloil EcoOil Centre
Capacity6,000
LocationSan Juan, Metro Manila
Team colors     
Main sponsorPowerball Marketing & Logistics Corporation
Almeria International Construction Corporation
Head coachJinggoy Estrada (de facto)
Randy Alcantara (acting)
ChampionshipsMBA: 2 (2000, 2001 First)
MPBL: 1 (2019)
Conference titlesMPBL: 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)

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

Second incarnation (2018–present)

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2018–2020: The Ayonayon and Wilson era

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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

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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
Players Coaches
Pos. No. Name Height Weight DOB From
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
Assistant coach(es)
Team manager
Legend
  • (HG) Homegrown
  • (FF) Filipino-foreigner
  • (SGL) Special Guest Licensee
  • (RS) Reserve player
  • Injured Injured
Updated as of: July 2, 2024

Head coaches

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Notable players

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Individual award winners

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All-Stars

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PBA players

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Season-by-season records

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League champions
Division champions
Qualified for playoffs
Best regular season record

Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League

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Season Regular season Playoffs
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

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Tournament Elimination round Playoffs
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
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

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  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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