TAGUM CITY — Davao Occidental-Cocolife’s Mark Yee became the third player in MPBL history to reach the 1000-point plateau on Monday, during the Tigers’ Game One clash against Basilan-Jumbo Plastic in the 2020 Chooks-to-Go MPBL Lakan South Finals.
Needing only seven points to enter the club, the 11-year pro — who had already scored four points in the first — drained a triple in the 9:32 mark of the second quarter. He then etched his name in the books, joining San Juan’s John Wilson and Marikina’s Yves Sazon.
Yee’s feat received loud roars from the massive Tigers contingent inside the Davao Sports and Tourism Complex here.
However, Yee’s milestone night ended in his team’s demise.
Davao Occidental suffered a heart-wrenching 72-74 defeat at the hands of the visitors, with Jay Collado swatting away Billy Robles’ potential game-tying layup.
“Breaks of the game lang talaga,” said a disappointed Yee, who ended the game with 12 points and four rebounds across his name.
Despite the unfortunate result that dampened his breakthrough night, Yee remained positive as he feels blessed to have reached such feat at age 38.
“Okay lang, kumbaga biyaya pa rin na binigay ng Panginoon eh. Siguro may plano si God kaya nangyari ‘yan, pero mas okay sana kung panalo eh,” Yee shared.
Yee, who is playing through a partial ACL tear and a torn calf, also vows to keep fighting for his beloved Davao no matter the consequences are to his body.
But the product of San Sebastian-Cavite asserted that the rest of the Tigers must learn to stick to the coaching staff’s game plan to be able to have a chance against a hot Basilan squad.
“Kumbaga sundin lang namin ‘yung game plan na pinapagawa ng mga coaches eh. ‘Yun lang ‘yung kailangan namin sanang gawin,” he said.
“Basta dapat mag-stick kami sa game plan tapos ayun nga, kailangan talaga naming respetuhin yung kalaban.”
In Game One of the North Division Finals, Jhonard Clarito tallied 19 points and 18 rebounds to power San Juan-Go for Gold’s 76-60 drubbing of Makati-Super Crunch.
Story by Jonash Dannug
Photos by Nicks Hernandez
