BACOOR, Philippines — For 12 games and counting, winning has become a habit for the Davao Occidental Tigers, now the hottest team in the MPBL Datu Cup.
The Cocolife-backed Tigers added another victim by claiming the scalp of host team Bacoor Strikers, 69-50, late Thursday night at the Strike Gymnasium here.
Seasoned veteran Mark Yee posted his ninth double-double performance, the most by any player this season, powering the Tigers to their 14th win in 17 games and keeping a hold of the solo lead in the southern division of this tournament put up by Sen. Manny Pacquiao with PBA legend and former MVP Kenneth Duremdes serving as commissioner.
A PBA journeyman, Yee ended up with 17 points and 11 boards. His fellow ex-pros – Leo Najorda and Billy Robles – added 16 and 10 points, respectively, while the rest of the team shackled the Strikers and kept the home crowd silent for the most part of the match.
So tight was Davao Occidental’s defense that it held Bacoor to only 29-percent shooting from the field (20-of-68).
Only Gab Banal ended up in double figures for Bacoor with 11 points, but neither his production nor the team’s lack of support was enough to save the Strikers who absorbed their eighth loss in 16 games. They are tied with the Parañaque Patriots-F2 Logistics in fourth to fifth places in the southern division.
Not even the presence of Sen. Bong Revilla, who watched the games live, could inspire the Strikers as the Tigers were able to outplay them on all fronts.
Cebu dumped Pasay, 76-61, in the first game as the Sharks notched their seventh win in 11 games to stay at 10th spot in the southern division.
Ting Manalili and his troops will need to win as many games as possible to secure a spot in the top eight and advance to the playoff round.