Wilson’s second wind better than his first

With the way he has worked on his game the past few months, it comes as no surprise that San Juan Go For Gold star John Wilson is in the midst of one of the best seasons of his career, perhaps even better than 11 years ago when he captured NCAA Most Valuable Player while being Jose Rizal’s go-to-guy in the NCAA.

Wilson’s social media accounts have been filled with videos of him putting in the work in the gym, even as the reigning MPBL champion Knights continued their surge in the Chooks-to-Go Lakan Season.

“I’m more consistent this season because of the extra work I put in,” said the 32-year-old Wilson in Filipino, after scoring 24 points to lead the Knights to an emphatic 109-99 win over Pasig Sta. Lucia last Saturday night at FilOil Flying V Centre in San Juan.

Wilson’s performances have been reminiscent of his MVP season in the NCAA in 2009 when he once exploded for 48 points for the Heavy Bombers.

Although a step slower, Wilson is older and wiser now, taking more shots within the flow of coach Randy Alcantara’s offense.

That has led to a jump in his scoring from almost 14 points per game in the Datu Cup last year to 21.2 points in the first 25 games of the Lakan Cup, which helped Wilson become the first player in the league to reach 1,000 points.

“I think my shooting is back like it was in my final year at JRU. But I just can’t take things for granted because this is my job,” said Wilson, who spent eight years in the PBA. “I have to make sure that I come out ready and prepared every game out of respect to the management of San Juan and my teammates.”

It took Wilson just 59 games, including 25 this season, to reach the milestone. More importantly, he’s propelled San Juan to the best record in the league so far with a 22-3 mark.

The Realtors’ stiff resistance against the Knights was highlighted by Jeric Teng’s 31 points. Pasig, however, fell into a tie for the final playoff spot in the North division with Caloocan with a 14-11 record.

Meanwhile, reigning MVP Gab Banal dished out a triple double as Bacoor sustained its fiery run with a 98-67 thumping of Muntinlupa, while Pao Javelona hit some timely baskets to help Bacolod topple Basilan, 96-89.

Banal had 11 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists as the Strikers claimed their sixth straight win to improve to 21-5. INQ