By Ivan Saldajeno
MANILA--Davao Occidental came back from an early fourth quarter deficit to steal an 82-77 win from Pampanga in the MPBL Datu Cup at the Alonte Sports Arena in Binan on Saturday night.
The Tigers used a 22-5 run to recover from 12 points down against the Lantern and take an 80-75 lead with 39 seconds left in the game.
Michael Juico kept Pampanga in the game with a layup with 29 seconds to go that trimmed the gap to three, 80-77.
Mark Yee almost gave the Lanterns a chance to tie the game after missing both his free throws off an Allen Enriquez foul, but Leo Najorda grabbed the offensive rebound and finally iced the game with two free throws of his own.
Bonbon Custodio put up an all-around game of 24 points, six rebounds, six assists, and four steals for Davao Occidental, which moved up to 4-3 in the standings.
Najorda added 21 points, seven rebounds, two assists, and two steals.
Billy Robles made all but one of his seven field goals to highlight a 13-point, 11-rebound double-double with three assists and the same number of blocks.
Juico's 26-point, 10-rebound, and three-steal performance went down the drain as Pampanga sunk to 3-4.
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