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The Davao Occidental Cocolife Tigers displayed its fiercest form yet in mauling Makati Super Crunch, 101-79, in the second phase elimination round of the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League Lakan Cup Tuesday night at San Andres Gym in Manila.
Tigers Ivan Ludovice, Kenneth Mocon and Billy Robles spewed fire in the first quarter, highlighted by a step-back trey of Emman Calo as Davao stormed to a 17-4 lead with 1:32 left going into the second canto.
James Forrester, along with streak shooter Marco Balagtas, then followed suit, as they erupted with a blistering 11-0 run to post 46-29 halftime score for the team owned by Dumper Party List Rep. Claudine Bautista of Davao Occidental, and backed by Cocolife president Atty. Jose Martin Loon, FVP Joseph Ronquillo, AVP Rowena Asnan and SVP Franz Joie Araque.
Joseph Sedorifa, Jong Valoria and Cedric Ablaza staged a minor uprising for Makati, which is under newly acquired coach Beaujing Acot.
But the rally was quickly quashed by Richard Yee, big man Jerwin Gaco and the game’s best player in Mocon as the Davao Tigers roared to the lopsided victory for the south division leader against the 3rd-ranked team in the north
“We gained advantage from our two-week holiday break and comprehensive training this early January in preparation for our remaining big games in the eliminations against Makati and San Juan,” said Davao Cocolife team manager Dinko Bautista, who was assisted by deputy Ray Alao. “Our Tigers are ready to fulfill our mission of winning the national championship.