MANILA – Mike Ayonayon proved that he is built for the big stage after lifting San Juan-Go for Gold to a thrilling 86-84 triumph over Pampanga-ADG Group on Friday night at the FilOil Flying V Centre.

The hard-earned win gave the Knights a 1-0 lead in their best-of-3 semifinals series in the North Division of the 2020 Chooks-to-Go MPBL Lakan Season.

The game was knotted with 18.3 seconds to go when Ayonayon isolated against Travis Thompson and drove to the hoop, where he faked off his defender before putting up a floater that bounced against the back iron before dropping into the hoop – just as the buzzer sounded.

Ayonayon acknowledged that he got a "lucky bounce," but stressed that he followed the instructions of his coach.

"Instruction sa akin ni coach na kahit anong mangyari, kunin ko yung bola at last shot na dapat. Buti pumasok yung tira ko," said the 6-foot guard out of Antipolo, Rizal.

Head coach Randy Alcantara revealed that he designed the play for the Philippine Christian University standout, heaving a sigh of relief when Ayonayon made the basket.

"Designed play yun, wala ng oras eh, last shot, so aatakihin ni Mike, pag nag-double kay Mike, kick out kay John. Eh hindi dinouble si Mike, kaya ginawan na ng paraan ni Mike," Alcantara said.

Ayonayon wanted to repay his coach's trust in him, as Alcantara still wanted the ball in his hands even after his scoreless performance in Game 2 of their quarterfinals series against Pasay.

"Give credit lang ako kala coach kasi bad game ako nung Game Two versus Pasay [no points in 20 minutes of action] pero grabe pa rin yung tiwala nila sa akin." said Ayonayon, who had 12 points, six rebounds, and a steal in this game.

"Sa akin pa rin ibinigay ni Coach Randy yung last shot, kaya ibinabalik ko lang sa kanila yung trust," he explained.

In the other semifinals tussle, Manila-Frontrow survived Makati-Super Crunch, 77-74, to take Game One.

(For more sports coverage, visit the ABS-CBN Sports website).