By ADRIAN STEWART CO
The Davao Occidental Tigers-Cocolife survived a late run by the Negros Muscovados for a 67-64 victory in the 2024 MPBL Season at the Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center in Pampanga on Tuesday night, June 18.
The Tigers were holding to a 58-48 lead after a basket by Kelly Nabong, but the Muscovados responded with a run behind Renz Palma and James Una to cut the deficit to 54-58.
Davao Occidental responded with back-to-back hits from Jun Manzo and Arthur dela Cruz to increase the lead to 62-54, but Negros retaliated with a 9-0 blast from Palma, Una and Jose Piero Longa to take a 63-62 edge.
Manzo reclaimed the lead for the Tigers with a tough layup before the Muscovados forced the final deadlock of the match at 64-all on a split free throw by Una with more than a minute left.
Dariel Bayla and Manzo knocked down three free throws with less than a minute left to give Davao Occidental a 67-64 lead.
Negros still had a chance to force an overtime, but Hubert Cani missed his triple try.
Dela Cruz was the lone double-digit scorer for Davao Occidental with 12 points to go with five rebounds, two assists and a steal as they improved to a 9-4 win-loss record.
“We need this win badly kaya naglaro kami together, and kailangan naming manalo para makabalik kami sa win column,” Dela Cruz said.
“Whatever happens sa team namin, kailangan naming maging composed, especially ‘yung mga veterans,” he said.
“I know [Muscovados head coach] Bonnie Garcia and ‘yung sistema nila, and alam ko din na hindi nila basta basta ibibigay ‘yung panalo. It was a good game naman kasi lumaban kami from start to finish,” he added.
Palma top-scored for the Muscovados with 27 points, five rebounds, four assists, and four steals, while Buenaventura Raflores, Jr. chipped in a double-double of 11 points and 14 rebounds.
They dropped to a 4-10 record./ASC, WDJ
DAVAO 67 — Dela Cruz 12, Nabong 9, Ighalo 8, Manzo 8, Enguio 8, Lojera 7, Bayla 5, Lalata 2, Tumalip 2, Custodio 2, Arana 2, Andrada 2, Campo 0, Salubre 0, Koga 0.
NEGROS 64 — Palma 27, Raflores 11, Una 8, Gabriel 6, Cani 4, Cruz 4, Longa 2, Atabay 2, Geolingo 0, Lorenzo 0, Formento 0, Alcaide 0, Ramos 0, Capobres 0, Peralta 0.
Quarterscores: 16-18, 32-32, 52-48, 67-64.