San Pedro, formerly known as Kyusi, appeared to be reinvigorated right after moving its franchise.
The wards of Pablo Escobets repulsed the challenge of an equally gritty side of 1Munti before scoring a 75-71 win in the PSL President’s Cup Tuesday night at the Paco Arena.
Barely a year removed from playing in the Philippine Basketball Association, the 6-foot-5 Javier quickly made an impact for his new team, San Pedro.
Javier finished with 17 points on 7-of-12 shooting from the field as he displayed his variety of offensive arsenals.
But while Javier has been a consistent fixture all game long, the Pablo Escobets needed a crucial putback from hardworking Felix Apreku in the last 55 seconds to give his team some cushion, 74-68.
It was the seventh win in 12 games for San Pedro, the same record carried by 1Munti, which was relegated to eighth spot.
San Juan put on a clinical show against a young, but talented SGA-St. Benilde to hammer out a convincing 89-66 victory, while Binañ beat winless NKT Sniper soundly, 125-79.
The Kings went on a tear in the second period, outscoring the Blazers, 31-15, to establish a 50-33 lead at the half and were never seriously threatened from there.
San Juan improved its current standing to 11-1, the same record held by Nueva Ecija at third spot.