The Davao Occidental COCOLIFE Tigers dominated dangerous FSD Makati Army, 82-69, in the elimination round of the new Filipino Basketball League Wednesday night at Subic Bay Gymnasium, SBMA in Olongapo City.
The reigning MPBL Lakan Cup national champion Tigers from Mindanao, owned by Davao Occidental Gov. Claude Bautista, Rep. Claudine Bautista-Lim, manager Dinko Bautista and supported by COCOLIFE president Atty. Jose Martin Loon, SVP Joseph Ronquillo, VP Rowena Asnan and EVP Franz Joie Araque, took control of the game in the second quarter after a close 17-18 advantage by the Armymen in the opening salvo.
FILBASKET’s Best Player of the Game in Chris Lalata waxed hot with a trey and a pair of twinners, and was ably supported by Alwyn Alday, Paulo Hubalde and Gab Dadangon, while big men Jerwyn Gaco and Allen Santos silenced Army gunners Bren Motol, Paul dela Pena and Jopher Custodio to erect a double-digit lead of 40-27, 1:30 left before halftime.
Veteran Billy Ray Robles, prized shooter John Wilson and playmakers Bonbon Custodio and Robbie Celis then joined efforts in the third canto to widen the gap, 68-53, going to the final period.
Jopher Custodio’s treys and Motol’s strong drives to the hoop ignited a minor uprising by the Makati squad, but was thwarted easily by Davao on both ends.
Lalata, Robles, Dagangon, Celis and Santos stayed focused in protecting the Tigers’ lead to prevent another meltdown they suffered against Nueva Ecija Besprens a couple of games ago.
Davao COCOLIFE now totes a 3-1 win-loss card, snapping an attempt of a back-to-back win by the Makati Armymen, who disposed of the Novo Ecijanos last Tuesday at the basketball bubble.
“Ready lang palagi at stay focused every game. Anybody kasi sa amin puwedeng mag-excel anytime,” said Lalata, who had 11 points, 4 rebounds and 2 steals as he acknowledged the motivation and confidence extended to him by coach Matt Makalintal, deputy team manager Ray Alao and management.