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| Mac Cardona was on fire for Boracay. PSL (file photo) |
MANILA—Mac-Mac Cardona displayed his vintage form as Boracay stayed alive in the 2023 Pilipinas Super League Dumper Cup quarterfinals with a 91-80 win over Davao Occidental on Tuesday at the Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center in San Fernando City, Pampanga.
The former PBA star top-scored with 27 point to go with eight rebounds and four assists as against eight turnovers as the Islanders forced a do-or-die game in their quarterfinals series.
Johnsherick Estrada chipped in 22 markers, Damian Lasco contributed 14 points, including two outside hits, while Jaymar Gimpayan added 13 points and six rebounds for Boracay.
The Islanders surged to an 11-3 start behind early hits from Cardona and Gimpayan.
The Tigers managed to trim it to 14-17 but conversions from Estrada, Lasco and Miguel Mallari widened Boracay’s lead to 26-17.
Boracay continued to dominate in the second quarter behind back-to-back triples from Joseph Penaredondo followed by connections by Cardona, Lasco and Estrada as the lead reached 57-36 via a three-pointer from Marvin Hayes.
The Tigers cut the deficit to 46-60 at the onset of the third quarter but Boracay increased it back to 17 via baskets from Estrada and Cardona. Davao, however, had another run to come to within 65-76.
Boracay opened the fourth quarter with shots from Cardona and Estrada to widen the lead anew to 85-65. Davao Occidental rallied back late in the game but was not enough to turn the result around.
Gab Dagangon was the lone double-digit scorer for the Tigers with 17 points. The do-or-die game between Boracay and Davao Occidental is slated on Wednesday, March 15.
Already in the semifinals round of the PSL tournament were top-seed and undefeated San Juan Kings, Pampanga Royce and Pampanga G Lanterns after beating their quarterfinals opponents in just one game.
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