Davao Occi strengthens hold of top seed in MPBL South with rout of Makati

Kenneth Mocon lifted Davao Occidental to a huge win over the Skyscrapers. MPBL

By Dugout Philippines

MANILA--Davao Occidental-Cocolife cruised to its fifth straight victory after annihilating Makati-Super Crunch, 79-54, in the 2019-20 Chooks-to-Go/MPBL Lakan Cup at the San Andres Sports Complex, Tuesday.

The Tigers used a scorching 29-point second quarter to completely take control of the match, leading by as big as 18 points, 46-28, entering the second half.

Davao Occidental then continued their surge in the second half, chalking up their biggest lead of the game at 27 after a pair of free throws from Jerwin Gaco in the opening of the fourth quarter. The Tigers never looked back from there as they went on to seal their 21st victory with ease.

“I’m surprised we played this well. For our team, coming into this game, our main focus was… we had a long break, we usually don’t play well from a long break and we practiced well but I told the guys to focus on team basketball,” said Davao head coach Don Dulay.

Kenneth Mocon and Yvan Ludovice led a balanced offensive attack with 13 points each for Davao Occidental, who moved up to a 21-3 standing while also solidifying their place as the top team in the Southern Division.

Billy Robles had 10 points, five rebounds, and three blocked shots while Chester Saldua, James Forrester, and Marco Balagtas finished with seven markers each.

Makati – who played their first game with new head coach Rhuel Acot – was led by Jong Baloria and Joseph Sedurifa with 17 and 13 points, respectively.

The Super Crunch-backed squad dropped their second consecutive game for a 20-6 record, still at the third spot in the Northern Division.

The Scores:

Davao Occidental-Cocolife (79) – Mocon 13, Ludovice 13, Robles 10, Saldua 7, Forrester 7, Balagtas 7, Bonleon 5, Raymundo 4, Gaco 4, Yee 3, Calo 3, Albo 3,

Makati-Super Crunch (54) – Baloria 17, Sedurifa 13, Torralba 7, Ablaza 5, Importante 4, Manlangit 3, Villanueva 3, Apinan 2, Cruz 0

Quarterscores: 17-10, 46-28, 73-48, 79-54

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