Streaking Tigers pummel Valientes in MPBL

MANILA, Philippines – The Davao Occidental Tigers are on the prowl and the Zamboanga Valientes turned out to be their latest prey.

Getting stronger each game, the Tigers battered the Valientes, 93-68, Tuesday night to tighten their grip of the South division of the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League Datu Cup at Valenzuela Astrodome.

It was the ninth straight win for the Cocolife-backed Tigers who climbed to 11-3.

Clobbered off the boards, 30-53, the Valientes, being supported by Family's Brand Sardines, fell to 6-8.

Powered by former pros Mark Yee and Leo Najorda, the Tigers only allowed the Valientes to move ahead at 4-2 before pouring on the heat and taking the half at 44-24.

They allowed the Valientes to come to within 61-51 after three quarters before pulling away for good at 78-64.

Yee finished with 25 points, 12 rebounds and 2 blocks, while Najorda added 13 points and 4 rebounds.

In the nightcap, the Valenzuela CDO Idol Cheesedog prolonged the agony of Mandaluyong El Tigre with a 78-64 lashing.

The Cheesedogs, drawing 20 points from Chris de Chavez and 10 from Chad Alonzo posted their first back-to-back wins and rose to 6-9.

El Tigre, the most feared team in the early part of this tournament, absorbed their seventh straight defeat and plummeted to 6-8.

The MPBL goes to Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan on Wednesday with a twinbill pitting Imus against Navotas at 7 p.m. and San Juan against Manila at 9 p.m.