By ADRIAN STEWART CO
The Davao Occidental Tigers-Cocolife pulled off a come-from-behind 72-71 victory over the Bacolod City of Smiles in the 2024 MPBL Season at the San Andres Sports Complex in Manila on Tuesday night, April 23.
Arthur dela Cruz tallied 12 points, seven rebounds, three assists, one steal, and a block to be named Player of the Game for the Tigers (1-1), which secured their first win in the MPBL return since 2021.
“As one of the veterans sa team, siguro kinailangan ko lang mag-step up,” Dela Cruz said.
“Kailangan pa namin siguro i-improve ‘yung having [a] strong start sa game para maka-follow ‘yung mga bench players namin,” he added.
Down 50-58 early in the fourth quarter, the Tigers turned things around behind connections from Kelly Nabong, Terrence Tumalip, Mark Olayon, and Dela Cruz to take a 63-60 lead.
Bacolod kept the match close as they knotted the score at 67-all, but a two-pointer by Riego Gamalinda gave Davao Occidental a 69-67 lead before they widened it to 72-67 via a triple from Tumalip.
The Bacolodnons made their last push on two free throws by Miles Canal and a basket by Alfred Sedillo to cut the deficit to 71-72. They still had a chance to snatch the win, but LA Casinillo misfired on his game-winning attempt.
Nabong also tallied 12 points to go with eight rebounds, one assist and a steal, while Tumalip came off-the-bench to provide 11 points for Davao, which came from a season-opener loss to the Pasay Voyagers last week.
Canal, Danny Marilao and Tricky Peromingan all finished with 11 points apiece to lead Bacolod, while Jacob Galicia chipped in 10 markers.
They dropped to a 1-2 win-loss card.
Meanwhile, the Zamboanga Master Sardines stretched their winning streak to four in as many games after an 88-73 triumph over the Negros Muscovados, which dropped to a 3-1 mark.
Jaycee Marcelino was adjudged Player of the Game for Zamboanga after tallying 15 points and seven rebounds./ASC, WDJ
DAVAO 72 — Dela Cruz 12, Nabong 12, Tumalip 11, Manzo 9, Ighalo 6, Olayon 6, Lojera 4, Koga 3, Andrada 3, Gamalinda 3, Martinez 2, Enguio 1, Arana 0.
BACOLOD 71 — Marilao 11, Peromingan 11, Canal 11, Galicia 10, Sedillo 8, Casinillo 7, Galit 4, Manalang 4, Espanola 3, Sabelina 2, Ubalde 0, Solomon 0, Pastias 0.
Quarterscores: 17-17, 30-35, 48-54, 72-71.