Davao Occidental thrashed Cagayan de Oro by a whopping 36 points, 95-59, to take Game One of the Cocolife Pilipinas Super League Powered By Smart 5G Pearl of the Orient Cup on Friday night at the Manuel Roxas Sports Complex in Roxas City, Zamboanga del Norte.
Showing that they mean business, the Tigers asserted themselves in the second canto, blowing the game wide open with a 23-7 run to turn a slim 20-17 into a huge 19-point advantage, 43-24, at halftime.
Davao Occidental’s offensive onslaught did not relent in the second half as they pushed their lead to a high of 37, 92-55, after a John Wilson deuce with 3:57 left in the match.
The Tigers will try to complete the sweep and nab the championship in Game Two on April 25, Monday, at the University of Southeastern Philippines Gym and Cultural Center in Davao City.
Speedy guard Emman Calo led Davao Occidental with a double-double performance of 22 points and 10 rebounds to go with two assists and four steals.
Veteran wingman John Wilson came off the bench and had 20 points, highlighted by four makes from beyond the arc.
Gab Dagangon—who was named the league’s regular-season Most Valuable Player, thanks to his stellar averages of 15.5 points, 6.9 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 1.6 steals per game—added 12, while Larry Rodriguez pitched in 11.
CDO got 14 points and 20 rebounds from Red Cachuela, and 13 points from Tayongtong.
Meanwhile, earlier in the evening, the league named the Mythical Five squad composed of Davao Occidental’s Gab Dagangon and Robby Celiz (13.5 PPG, 7.0 RPG, 2.9 APG, 0.6 SPG, 1.4 BPG), Basilan’s Jason Melano (9.8 PPG, 8.2 RPG, 3.6 APG, 0.3 SPG, 1.0 BPG), Roxas’ Mario Bonleon (13.9 PPG, 5.4 RPG, 2.4 APG, 0.4 SPG, 0.5 BPG), and Lapu-Lapu’s Gin Mejares (13.9 PPG, 6.0 RPG, 3.2 APG, 0.5 SPG).
Lapu-Lapu’s Vincent Minguito was also named the Best Homegrown player with his averages of 14.4 points, 10.5 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 0.7 steals, and 0.6 blocks per outing.
The Scores:
Davao Occidental 95 – Calo 22, Wilson 20, Dagangon 12, Rodriguez 11, Agovida 9, Custodio 6, Galoran 4, Palencia 4, Santos 3, Celiz 2, Adormeo 2, Grimaldo 0, Balagtas 0, Anib 0, Lalata 0.
Cagayan de Oro 59 – Cachuela 14, Tayongtong 13, Castellano 6, Lastimosa, 5, Ubalde 5, Saycon 3, Pasia 3, Dela Pena 2, Mantilla 2, Galvez 2, Kwong 2, Royo 2, Lozada 0, Diego 0.
Quarterscores: 20-17, 43-24, 64-44, 95-69.
