Basilan, Davao Occidental open Lakan Cup with wins

By Adrian Stewart Co

The Basilan Steel and Davao Occidental Tigers opened the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League Lakan Cup with wins last Wednesday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City. Basilan scored a 94-83 win over the Bicol Volcanoes; while Davao Occidental narrowly defeated Zamboanga Family’s Brand Sardines, 84-82.
Jessie Collado led Basilan with a double-double on 16 points and 10 rebounds, Gabriel Dagangon added 15 markers, while Cris Dumapig scored 13 markers and made 10 boards.
Beginning as a tightly-contested game, Basilan went on a 12-2 scoring run midway in the fourth quarter behind Collado and Jhapz Bautista to take an 87-75 advantage with just over two minutes left.
Bicol made its last push and got as close as 87-81 after a basket by Alex Nuyles but Bautista scored on a baseline drive and Collado drained a triple to seal the win.
In the other game, with the score tied 82-82, Chester Saldua scored off a miss from Negrense player Mark Yee. Ilonggo player Billy Robles then secured the win with a block on the final possession./ASC, WDJ