Philippines MPBL 11/07 11:59 - Pangasinan Heatwaves v San Juan Knights W 66-83
Philippines MPBL 11/04 08:00 - San Juan Knights v Septemvri Sofia L 57-67
Philippines MPBL 10/22 12:00 - San Juan Knights v Pasay Voyagers W 77-66
Philippines MPBL 10/15 10:00 - Pasay Voyagers v San Juan Knights W 89-94
Philippines MPBL 09/29 10:00 - Marikina Shoemasters v San Juan Knights W 61-78
Philippines MPBL 09/18 10:00 - Abra Weavers v San Juan Knights L 84-77
Philippines MPBL 09/13 10:00 - San Juan Knights v GenSan Warriors W 74-66
Philippines MPBL 09/10 10:00 - San Juan Knights v Sarangani W 114-68
Philippines MPBL 09/04 10:00 - Pampanga Giant Lanterns v San Juan Knights W 68-73
Philippines MPBL 08/29 12:00 - San Juan Knights v Vis Nova Basket U20 W 80-75
Philippines MPBL 08/22 12:00 - Marikina Shoemasters v San Juan Knights - View
Philippines MPBL 08/08 10:00 - Davao Occ. Tigers v San Juan Knights W 79-95
Philippines MPBL 08/04 12:00 - San Juan Knights v Technolog-Spartak Belgorod W 80-69
Philippines MPBL 07/26 10:00 - San Juan Knights v Ilagan Isabela Cowboys W 87-79
Philippines MPBL 07/17 12:00 - San Juan Knights v Manila Batang Quiapo W 88-61
Philippines MPBL 07/12 08:00 - San Juan Knights v Quezon City W 92-68
Philippines MPBL 06/26 12:00 - [2] San Juan Knights v Pangasinan Heatwaves [4] W 73-66
Philippines MPBL 06/19 12:00 - [9] Pasig City v San Juan Knights [2] W 64-77
Philippines MPBL 06/14 10:00 - [2] San Juan Knights v Muntinlupa Cagers [1] W 27-16
Philippines MPBL 06/07 08:00 - [14] Paranaque Patriots v San Juan Knights [2] W 56-110
Philippines MPBL 05/26 08:00 - [10] Valenzuela Classics v San Juan Knights [2] W 67-90
Philippines MPBL 05/22 10:00 - [2] San Juan Knights v Bacolod Tubo Slashers [12] W 83-77
Philippines MPBL 05/17 12:00 - [1] Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards v San Juan Knights [2] L 97-86
Philippines MPBL 05/08 12:00 - [6] Pasay Voyagers v San Juan Knights [2] W 74-75
Philippines MPBL 05/05 12:00 - [2] San Juan Knights v Batang Kankaloo [7] W 76-61
Philippines MPBL 04/30 10:00 - San Juan Knights v Imus Braderhood W 89-83
Philippines MPBL 04/24 12:00 - [4] Rizal Golden Coolers v San Juan Knights [2] W 78-79
Philippines MPBL 04/10 12:00 - [2] San Juan Knights v Batangas City [6] W 72-63
Philippines MPBL 04/04 10:00 - [2] San Juan Knights v Bataan Risers [11] W 82-67
Philippines MPBL 03/31 12:00 - [2] San Juan Knights v Basilan Viva Portmasters [9] W 72-62

Wikipedia - San Juan Knights

The San Juan Knights (also abbreviated as SJK) 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. The team plays its home games at Playtime Filoil Centre.

The team's first incarnation was established in 1999 as a member of the Metropolitan Basketball Association (MBA) and played there until 2001. 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 Pilipinas Super League (PSL), 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 region basketball teams in the country. Across both incarnations, the Knights have clinched two championships: one in the MBA (2000) and one in the MPBL (2019). The Knights also made the MPBL's division finals five times in a row from 2019 to 2024, and the MPBL finals in back-to-back seasons (2019 and 2021).

The Knights are one of four teams based in the Eastern Manila District of Metro Manila. The team is also backed by the sports program Go For Gold Philippines, hence the team is also known as San Juan Knights–Go For Gold (SJK–G4G).

History

First incarnation (1999–2001)

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. San Juan would go on to win their first of back-to-back MBA championships.

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)

2018–2020: The Ayonayon and Wilson era

In April 2018, San Juan Knights were revived as an expansion team in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League. 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

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.

The San Juan Knights are a prominent basketball team based in San Juan City, Philippines. Known for their competitive spirit and skilled gameplay, the Knights have established themselves as a formidable force in local leagues and tournaments. They are recognized for their disciplined defense, fast-paced offense, and strong teamwork, making them a favorite among fans and a challenging opponent on the court. The team proudly represents San Juan City, embodying the community's passion for basketball and striving for excellence in every game they play.