The Davao Occidental Tigers rode on Bonbon Custodio’s hot hands in the pivotal stretch to subdue the Pampanga Lanterns, 82-77, and boost their bid in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League Datu Cup at Alonte Sports Arena in Binan, Laguna.
The Laguna Heroes also got back on track following a surprisingly easy 76-52 dumping of the Paranaque Patriots in the second game.
Staring at a 12-point deficit, 58-70, with less than five minutes to go, the Tigers clawed their way back as Custodio scored 12 of his team-high 24 points in that span.
With the Lanterns ahead, 75-74, Custodio clustered six points to push the Tigers ahead, 80-79, en route to their fourth victory in seven starts that put them in the upper half of the 26 competing teams.
Showing the form that made him a member of the PBA All-Rookie team in 2009, Custodio tallied 24 points, six rebounds and six assists to emerge as the game’s best player, his second in the league founded by Sen. Manny Pacquiao.
Custodio was supported by fellow PBA veterans Leo Najorda and Mark Yee, who made 21 and 13 points, respectively, and Billy Robles, who tallied 13 points and 11 rebounds.
Michael Juico, living up to his status as the league’s leading scorer, fired a game-high 26 points, snagged 10 rebounds and made three steals but couldn’t prevent the Lanterns from absorbing their fourth loss in seven outings as only Jerry Nacpil provided scoring support with 10.
Jai Reyes and Michael Mabulac joined forces to lift Laguna to a 3-4 slate. .
Playing a lot bigger than his 5-foot-7 height, Reyes finished with 21 points, nine rebounds and three steals. Mabulac contributed 18 points, seven rebounds and two blocks while Raymond Ilagan and Ralph Olivarez contributed hipped in 10 points each for the Krah Pipes-backed Heroes.
Former San Beda Red Lion Ryusel Koga scored 11 points for the Patriots.