MANILA--Davao Occidental moved closer to sealing the top seed in the MPBL Southern Division Playoffs after drubbing Muntinlupa, 106-90, at the Batangas State University Gymnasium in Batangas City on Wednesday night.
Engaging in a close fight with the Cagers in the first half, the Tigers pulled away in the third quarter, opening the period on a 26-7 run that upped their lead to 23, 73-50, with only three minutes left in the quarter. Davao Occidental eventually led by as much as 28, 96-68, midway through the fourth period.
Coach Don Dulay credited the Tigers' victory to his bench players led by Eman Calo, who stepped up just in time.
“It’s good that our second group played well. We need them to play with confidence going into the playoffs. We’ve been missing them in the past few games so hopefully, they keep it going,” said Dulay.
Mark Yee went 10-for-11 from the field for 25 points with 10 rebounds, three assists, and two blocks to lead Davao Occidental, which moved up to 23-4, a half-game clear of Bacoor City for the top spot in the South. Calo added 19 points, four rebounds, four assists, and three steals.
GJ Ylagan put up 22 points, three rebounds, three assists, and one steal for Muntinlupa, whose season came to an end at 7-23.
The Scores:
Davao Occidental-Cocolife (106) – Yee 25, Calo 19, Mocon 11, Saldua 8, Forrester 8, Robles 7, Custodio 6, Lamocha 5, Balagtas 4, Raymundo 4, Terso 3, Bonleon 3, Adormeo 3, Albo 0
Muntinlupa-Angelis Resort (90) – Ylagan 22, Mag-isa 16, Rebugio 13, Moralde 11, Buenaflor 9, Salaveria 6, Enguio 4, Ortouste 3, Gonzales 3, Reyes 2, Pamulaklakin 1, Po 0
Quarterscores: 20-13, 47-43, 83-59, 106-90
Follow him on Twitter: @IvanSaldajeno
Mark Yee went 10-for-11 from the field for 25 points with 10 rebounds, three assists, and two blocks to lead Davao Occidental, which moved up to 23-4, a half-game clear of Bacoor City for the top spot in the South. Calo added 19 points, four rebounds, four assists, and three steals.
GJ Ylagan put up 22 points, three rebounds, three assists, and one steal for Muntinlupa, whose season came to an end at 7-23.
The Scores:
Davao Occidental-Cocolife (106) – Yee 25, Calo 19, Mocon 11, Saldua 8, Forrester 8, Robles 7, Custodio 6, Lamocha 5, Balagtas 4, Raymundo 4, Terso 3, Bonleon 3, Adormeo 3, Albo 0
Muntinlupa-Angelis Resort (90) – Ylagan 22, Mag-isa 16, Rebugio 13, Moralde 11, Buenaflor 9, Salaveria 6, Enguio 4, Ortouste 3, Gonzales 3, Reyes 2, Pamulaklakin 1, Po 0
Quarterscores: 20-13, 47-43, 83-59, 106-90
Follow him on Twitter: @IvanSaldajeno