Having a newly crowned Most Valuable Player, a top Mythical 5 selection, prolific shooter, old warriors, young reliables and homegrown talent in the Tigers’ den, powerhouse team Davao Occidental has all the reasons to complete a sweep and clinch the championship today against the Cagayan de Oro Higalas in the inaugural conference of the Pearl of the Orient Cup-Cocolife Pilipinas Super League’s Game 2 Finals at the University of Southern Philippines Gym and Cultural Center in Davao City.
Pambansang Liga ng Pilipino-Cocolife PSL MVP Gab Dagangon is expected to pour his might offensively, with M5 Robby Celiz, sweet-shooting John Wilson, veteran slotman Larry Rodriguez and spitfires Emman Calo and Bonbon Custodio, who are out to control the game on both ends.
The Tigers, owned by the Bautista clan of Davao Occidental, will try to fulfil their mission and continue the winning tradition, dedicated to their hometown crowd and all PSL followers nationwide.
Game 1 main man Calo, who posted a sterling double-double performance of 22 points, 10 rebounds, 2 assists and 4 steals, said he will treat the game tonight as a ‘no more tomorrow’ contest, sharing the same motivation to his teammates and coach Alvin Bonleon to assure a hometown victory for basketball-loving Davaoenos.
Keith Agovida, Joseph Terso, Marco Balagtas, Arvin Palencia, Chris Lalata, Joseph Grimaldo, point generals Allan Santos and Jerwin Gaco and homegrown Ron Anib will provide ample support for the team’s fruitful campaign in this ‘Year of the Tiger’.
A big win tonight by the Tigers, supported by Cocolife president Atty. Jose Martin Loon, SVP Joseph Ronquillo, VP Rowena Asnan and SVP Franz Joie Araque, in the league organized by PSL president Rocky Chan with VP Ray Alao and Commissioner Marc Pingris, will be their second franchise title after winning the Lakan Cup of the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League last year.
“We will go for it tonight. No more Game 3. Our Tigers are ready for the final roar,” Davao Occidental coach Bonleon said.
The Red Cachuella-led CDO Higalas will try to erase their 59-95 annihilation at the hands of the Tigers in Game 1 in Roxas and will push to extend the series to a rubber-match third game.