Davao Occidental Tigers-Cocolife and AICC Manila posted contrasting victories Thursday to remain at the helm in the FilBasket Subic Championship at the Subic gym.
Davao Occidental turned back the Pasig Sta. Lucia Realtors, 68-66, while AICC Manila thumped 7A Primus, 117-108, to break the three-way tie and share the lead with identical 4-1 slates.
Aldwin Alday and Gab Dagangon finished with 14 and 12 points, respectively, for the Tigers, who rose from a two-point deficit in the 1:05 of the game to clinch the victory.
A jumper from John Wilson with 36 seconds left tied the game at 66-all before Billy Ray Robles completed two freethrows off a foul from Jeckster Alipan in the last three ticks sealed Davao’s win.
Pasig Sta. Lucia dropped to 1-3 despite Jerald Bautista and Cedrick Ablaza combining for 39 points.
Six players, meanwhile, scored in double figures for AICC Manila, who bounced back from a 66-61 halftime deficit for the win.
Michael Mabulac and Jessie James Colado led with 23 and 17 points, Hesed Gabo added 15 points, Chris Bitoon and Michael Juico chipped in 12 points each, and Philip Manalang contributed 11 points for AICC Manila.
Joseph Marquez and Marc Paolo Javillonar teamed up with 35 points in a losing effort for 7A Primus, who slipped to 2-3.
In the other match, the Nueva Ecija Bespren outplayed the Muntinlupa Defenders, 96-91, to improve to 3-2.
Renz Palma posted 19 points, 11 rebounds and six steals while Mark Cruz had 18 points and 17 boards for Nueva Ecija, who lead by as many as 21 points late in the third period.
Muntinlupa absorbed its fourth straight loss despite Marvin Curitana’s 29-point output.