General Santos City sustained its winning run in the MPBL Lakan Season even as Davao Occidental showed its dominance over an upstart opponent late Saturday night at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City.
The Warriors of General Santos City upended the Iloilo United Royals, 69-64, to give head coach Rich Alvarez its third straight victory.
The rookie coach has yet to lose a game since taking over as the mentor of the team and the squad improved its record to 5-2, forging a tie with expansion team Bicol Volcanoes.
Two players came away with a double-double effort for the Warriors, namely Rob Celiz and John Orbeta.
One of the few key additions in the team, Celiz knocked in 15 points and 15 rebounds to lead the Warriors. His frontline partner, Orbeta, tallied 13 points and 10 boards.
Iloilo, who fell to 3-3, was led by Samboy De Leon’s 11 points and seven rebounds.
Also taking home wins Saturday night were Davao Occidental and Imus.
The Cocolife-backed Tigers ripped the Bacolod-Master Sardines, 85-74.
Mark Yee and fellow ex-pro James Forrester combined forces as the reigning southern division champion picked up its fifth win in six games and joined the Bacoor Strikers in a share of the lead in the south.
Yee had another double-double performance of 16 points and 15 boards, but was just a rebound away from becoming only the second player to churn out at least 500 points and 500 rebounds in the young history of the league.
Forrester also tallied 16 markers, his best output since joining the fastest growing regional amateur basketball league, while Marco Balagtas also produced the same number of points.
JP Cauilan paced the 2-4 Bacolod with 20 points while Mac Tallo added 12 markers.
Imus finally snapped a three-game losing skid, this after the Bandera dumped the SOCCSKSARGEN Marlins, 82-70, in the main game.
Ex-PBA players Chad Alonzo and former MVP Jayjay Helterbrand stepped up and rewarded new coach Mac Cuan his first win as a member of the squad.
Alonzo had a double-double performance of 15 points and 12 rebounds. Helterbrand, on the other hand, had 14 points, seven assists, and two steals as they led the Bandera to their second win in five games.
RJ Diwa led to still-winless Marlins with 19 markers.
The Scores:
First Game:
Davao Occidental 85 – Yee 16, Forrester 16, Balagtas 16, Robles 11, Calo 8, Raymundo 8, Terso 5, Dumagan 4, Adomeo 0, Albo 0.
Bacolod 74 – Cauilan 20, Tallo 12, Custodio 11, Javelona 9, Alano 9, Medalla 5, Dionson 4, Ortega 2, Porto 2, Vasalio 0, Dimas 0, Soriano 0.
Quarterscores: 19-8, 40-32, 68-53, 85-74.
Second Game:
General Santos 69 – Celiz 15, Orbeta 13, Landicho 10, Bautista 9, Raymundo 7, Mahaling 6, Basco 5, Masaglang 2, Baltazar 2, Goloran 0, Foronda 0.
Iloilo 64 – De Leon 11, Tamsi 10, Rodriguez 10, Mahari 9, Jeruta 8, Publico 6, Parker 6, Escoto 4, Gumaru 0, Pedrosa 0, Javelosa 0.
Quarterscores: 22-17, 39-39, 56-49, 69-64.
Third Game:
Imus 82 – Alonzo 15, Helterbrand 14, Martinez 14, Cunanan 10, Nacpil 9, Anderson 8, Vito 6, Mirza 4, Ong 2, Reyes 0, Lim 0, Dedicatoria 0, Canizares 0, Catimbuhan 0.
SOCCSKSARGEN 70 – Diwa 19, Estrellante 16, Juanico 11, Gonzales 10, Santos 8, Rabe 3, Magbanua 3, Espinosa 0, Tarucan 0, Eman 0, Retaga 0, Garrido 0, Galabin 0.
Quarterscores: 10-11, 22-23, 57-49, 82-70.
