Davao Occidental’s Dumper COCOLIFE Tigers proved too strong even against the Philippine Super League’s VisMin All-Stars in an exhibition game of the Dumper All-Star Event held Tuesday night at the Pagadian City Gymnasium in Zamboanga del Sur.
The visiting team, owned by Davao Occidental Governor Claude Bautista, Rep. Claudine Bautista-Lim and supported by COCOLIFE president Atty. Jose Martin Loon, SVP Joseph Ronquillo, VP Rowena Asnan and EVP Franz Joie Araque, exerted its might right from the opening salvo by their fluid offense en route to a 58-42 halftime score.
They were led by veterans Billy Ray Robles, Joseph Terso Bonbon Custodio, Emman Calo, Robby Celis and gunner John Wilson.
VisMin’s John Jamon, Cyrus Tabi Jon Morada ignited a minor uprising highlighted by Raffy Oktubre’s back-to-back conversions from beyond the arc, but Tigers Keith Agovida, Chris Lalata, Gab Dagangon, Celis and Custodio waxed hot, while Wilson’s torrid 7 of 10 shooting from downtown built their biggest lead of 20 at 96-76, with six minutes left on the way to a 111-99 victory.
The Davao squad is managed by Dinko Bautista assisted by Ray Alao.
Wilson’s 30 points and 5 rebounds netted for him the Dumper All Star Event’s Best Player of the Game.
The winning Tigers’ team composed of the MPBL Lakan Cup champion pocketed the grand P500,000 cash prize from event sponsors Dumper Party List, PSL’s Rocky Chan and Pagadian City Mayor Sammy Co.
In the other festive exhibition game, youngters Mur Prince Alao and Lanze Ronquillo played exceptional for the Dumper selection of young and adult cagers, but fell short against VisMin’s star executives, led by Samuel Co,79-83.
“It’s a very successful evening that made the people very happy especially during this Christmas season. Our hats off to Gov. Claude (Bautista), Ma’m Cong. Claudine (Bautista-Lim), Boss Tracker Lim, Pagadian Mayor Co and PSL,” Tigers’ deputy manager Alao said.
