Davao Occidental Tigers face Valenzuela

Streaking Davao Occidental Tigers aim to add the Valenzuela Classic to their list of victims when they clash at 8:30 p.m. today Saturday, Oct. 26 as the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League Lakan Season visits Mindanao anew at Davao City Recreation Center.

The Bulacan Kuyas tangle with the Rizal Golden Coolers in the 6:30 p.m. opener.

On a six-game roll, the Tigers lead the 15-team South division with a 16-2 record and are favored over the Classic, who hold a 7-12 card in the 16-team North division.

Veterans Mark Yee and Billy Robles, James Forrester, Chester Saldua, Marco Balagtas and Bonbon Custodio will banner the Cocolife-backed Tigers, who ruled the South division in the MPBL Datu Cup but bowed to the San Juan Knights, the North division titlists, in the National Finals.

Paolo Hubalde and Henryford Ruaya will spearhead the Classic being supported by SPV Top Marketplace.

Coming from a 75-70 victory over the Imus Bandera on Oct 14 and a better 10-7 slate, the Kuyas are picked over the Golden Coolers, who are on a five-game slide and are second to last in the North at 3-13.

Meanwhile, Makati Super Crunch and the Pampanga Giant Lanterns met stiff resistance before pulling off victories over the Iloilo United Royals and the Caloocan Supremos, respectively, last Thursday in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League Lakan Season at Marikina Sports Complex.

Powered by the troika of Juneric Baloria, Cedric Ablaza and Mark Niel Cruz, the Super Crunch subdued the Royals, 78-71, while the Giant Lanterns wasted a 20-point lead (36-16) but recovered in time to down the Supremos, 76-70.

Cruz poured eight points, Joseph Sedurifa six and Jeckster Apinan five in the fourth quarter as the Super Crunch stretched their win run to five and raised their record to 15-3, tying the Manila Stars at second spot in the North division being paced by the San Juan Knights (17-2).

Pampanga saw Caloocan grab the lead at 58-55 and 65-64, but Travis Thompson drilled a triple to ignite a 12-2 salvo in the homestretch that sealed the Giant Lanterns’ 12th win against seven losses.

The Supremos dropped to 11-9 despite outrebounding the Giant Lanterns, 54-46, their chances hurt by poor free throw (12 of 24) and three-point (4 of 23) shooting.

John Dexter Maiquez shone for the Lanterns, who are on a two-game run, with 15 points and eight rebounds and so did Mark Cruz, 14 points and nine assists, Michael Juico, 12 points and nine rebounds, and Levi Hernandez, 11 points, four rebounds, three steals.

Zamboanga Family’s Brand Sardines hit full throttle in the fourth quarter to frustrate the Marikika Shoemasters, 72-64, in the nightcap.

With new acquisition Dennice Villamor scoring seven and Leonard Santillan five, the Zamboanguenos finally warded off the Shoemasters, 74-61, en route to their fourth straight win and a 12-8 slate in the 15-team South division.

The Shoemasters slid to 3-14 and the bottom of the 16-team North division.

Villamor, formerly of the Batangas City Athletics, wound up with 17 points, 7 rebounds and four assists, while Santillan finished with 11 points and six rebounds. Alvin Pasaol contributed 15 points and six rebounds for the Tanduay-backed Athletics.