King Tiger Mark Yee provided another spark to lead Davao Occidental Cocolife to a convincing victory, crushing host Iloilo United Royals, 89-76, in the Visayas Invasion of 2019-2020 Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League Lakan Cup second phase elimination at the City of Passi Arena in Iloilo City.
Yee affectively countered the desperate rally by the Royals with his timely offensive thrusts and defensive rebounding to prevent a potential upset by the host team.
Veterans Bonbon Custodio, Bogs Reymundo, Emman Calo and Billy Robles also delivered the goods for the team, owned by Dumper Party List Congresswoman Claudine Bautista and supported by Cocolife President Atty. Jose Martin Loon, FVP Joseph Ronquillo, AVP Rowena Asnan and SVP Franz Joie Araque.
The team notched its 16th victory in 18 outings to remain on top of team standings in the south division.
It was an all-Tigers’ show in the first half, but the Royals ignited an uprising in the late stages of the third canto, led by the outside sniping of Eric Rodriguez and Richard Escoto, with Al Tamsi and Rey Publico operating inside to momentarily gain control at 68-67, with 7:45 left in the final period.
But it was cut short, sparked by Yee’s step-back triple and another from downtown by Marco Balagtas, and run-and-gun baskets by Robles, Custodio and Saldua, en route to another smashing road game triumph by Cocolife in the league organized by Senator Manny Pacquiao.
“Stay focused lang sa game at sinunod lang namin ang instructions ng aming coaches kaya maganda ang resulta,” said the game’s Best Player Yee, who scored 23 points and hauled 16 rebounds for his 33rd double-double performance.
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