Davao Cocolife Tigers proved to be meaner than the visiting Mandaluyong El Tigre as they secured a one-sided 86-63 victory in the Vis Min Invasion of 2018 Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League held recently at the Rizal Memorial College Gym in Davao City.
The home team of Claudine Bautista of Davao Occidental LGU, backed by Cocolife president Elmo Nobleza, FVP Joseph Ronquillo and AVP Rowena Asnan, took control of the game with the early explosion of homegrown talents Emman Calo and Leo Paler as the Tigers grabbed a double-digit spread, 43-32, at the half.
The predators from Mindanao roared louder, showing their sharp teeth in the third canto when veterans Mark Yee, Leo Najorda, Bonbon Custodio and Ilonggo star Billy Robles put on their relentless attacks offensively to silence the El Tigre of Mandaluyong, which played minus injured star player Bobby Ray Parks.
The Tigers’ victory allowed them to top the standings in the South Division second phase elimination of the league organized by Senator Manny Pacquiao with their 9-3 record.
Early leader El Tigre skidded to 7th place in the North Division from second following a four-game losing skid.
“The veterans guided us in this victory, strengthened by solid motivation from our coaches to never lose in our own territory,” said the Game’s Best Player Calo.