Nine straight wins and counting.
Davao Occidental Cocolife Tigers tightened its grip on top of team standings after defeating the Zamboanga Valientes in dominant fashion, 93-68, in the south division of the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League Datu Cup eliminations recently at Valenzuela Astrodome in Valenzuela City.
The Tigers of team owner Claudine Bautista of Davao Occidental LGU, backed by Cocolife president Elmo Nobleza, FVP Joseph Ronquillo and AVP Rowena Asnan, took control of the game in the early goings using their fluid offense from veteran players and hustle points from homegrown talents to mount a big lead, 44-24 at the half, en route to its ninth straight win.
They posted a couple of victories in the season-opening, followed by 3 straight setbacks for their pacesetting 11-3 record in their division.
The Valientes tried to narrow the gap in the third canto, led by veteran Leo Avenido, Jonathan Parreno and Reed Juntilla.
But a backbreaking back-to-back treys by homegrown Tiger Joseph Terso and timely buckets from ex-pro Najorda and journeyman Bonbon Costodio stopped the Zamboanga uprising to hand the Valientes another loss as they skidded further to a 6-8 record in the league organized by Senator Manny Pacquiao.
“Our veterans’ adrenaline from practice to actual competition towed our upcoming and homegrown players to a high level just like this victory against the Valientes [Zamboanga],” said Davao Cocolife Tigers’ team manager Ray Alao said.