A sterling double-double performance by ex-pro Mark Yee powered Davao Occidental-Cocolife Tigers to a 68-61 victory over the Pasay Voyagers in the elimination round of the 2018 Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League Datu Cup on Thursday at the Pasay Astrodome.
Yee top-scored for the team, owned by Claudine Bautista of Davao Occidental LGU and backed by Cocolife president Elmo Nobleza, FVP Josep Ronquillo and AVP Rowena Asnan, with 16 points and had a record-breaking 24 rebounds to help push the Tigers to solo second in the Southern Division of the league, organized by Senator Manny Pacquiao.
Former PBA veterans Bonbon Custodio, Leo Najorda and Billy Robles contributed 13 points each for Cocolife, which sent Pasay to its third straight home-court defeat that gave them a 2-7 record.
It was a low-scoring ballgame for both teams, but Davao Cocolife still shot better with a 37 percent clip in the field to grab 20 points at the paint and secure a 56-39 advantage off the boards.
Pasay had a 32 percent shooting norm.
“It was a low-scoring game as both teams focused on defense. We have to bleed for every point. Good thing we got the better end,” said Tigers’ coach Don Dulay as the team managed by Bong Baibar and Ray Alao posted its sixth victory in nine games.
Yee’s 24 caroms shattered the 21 record by Michael Mabulac of Laguna Heroes.
