Davao Occidental survived a fiery rally by Pangasinan to prevail, 64-62, on Friday and gain traction in the MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) Sixth Season at the Alonte Sports Arena in Binan, Laguna.
Coasting along, 61-53, the Davao Occidental Tigers watch as the Pangasinan Heatwaves threaten at 61-62 following a 9-point cluster by Ralph Robin.
Davao’s Jun Manzo split his two free throws for the final count as Pangasinan’s Hesed Gabo missed an ill-advised 3-pointer before the buzzer.
The Tigers, the 2021 MPBL Lakan Season champion, raised their elimination round record to 7-2, while pulling down the Heatwaves to 2-7.
Arth Dela Cruz led the Tigers with 17 points, 11 rebounds, 5 assists and 3 steals, followed by Manzo with 11 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists.
Pangasinan got 17 points from Robin, 16 from Daquiaog and 12 from Michael Mabulac.
The MPBL goes to the Quezon Convention Center on Saturday with another triple bill pitting Mindoro against Pasay at 4 p.m., Iloilo against Quezon City at 6 p.m. and Batangas against Quezon at 8 p.m.