This duel proved why games are won on the hardcourt and not on paper.
Proving steadier when it mattered most, Cagayan de Oro-PSP stunned erstwhile unbeaten and defending champion Davao Occidental-Cocolife, carving out an 89-85 victory Thursday night in the Manila Bankers Life-Pilipinas Super League Pro Division Second Conference Dumper Cup at the Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center in San Fernando, Pampanga.
Cagayan de Oro rode on Jaypee Dela Cruz’s clutch trip to the foul line in its shocking triumph as he sank two free throws, only 16 ticks that pegged the final count.
The Tigers went to former PBA player John Wilson in their last-gasp try to force overtime, but his three-point attempt missed the mark in the last 6.0 seconds.
Deo Lucero sizzled with 23 points, to go with two rebounds and six assists for Cagayan de Oro, while Jeff Comia chipped in 15 markers, four boards, and four dimes.
Jopet Soriano and Ian Yutuc also had 13 and 11 points, respectively for Cagayan de Oro, which rebounded from an 82-89 loss to Boracay last week and improved to 2-7 in in the tourney presented by Winzir and co-presented by SCD Cosmetics and Dumper party-list, and supported by NET 25, Adcon, Wcube Solutions Inc., MDC, Unisol, Don Benitos, and Finn Cotton, with PBA and Gilas Pilipinas great Marc Pingris serving as Commissioner.
Davao Occidental saw its seven-game winning streak that included a 67-61 triumph over Batang Kankaloo-Caloocan also last week come to a screeching halt and dropped to 7-1 for third.
In the other game, the Pampanga G Lanterns brought down Manila 78-69 to get back on track.
Kurt Reyson boomed in six triples and finished with 20 points and two caroms for Pampanga, while Jayson Apolonio added 18 markers and six rebounds.
Jam Jamito had 11 and two as the G Lanterns made up for a numbing 71-72 setback at the hands of Nueva Ecija last Jan. 14 and raised their mark to 4-1 for fifth.
The Citystars, coming off an 81-74 win over Koponang Lakan ng Bulacan last Jan. 12, fell to 5-4, good for eight.
Wilson carried the fight for the Tigers with 22 points, 13 rebounds, and three feeds, while Larry Rodriguez had 18 markers and 11 boards.
Billy Robles and Keith Agovida also combined for 24 for Davao Occidental.
Kyle Neypes paced Manila with 14 points, while Adrian Celada added 13 markers.
Rence Alcoriza was held to just 12 points for the Citystars.
The scores
First game
CAGAYAN DE ORO-PSP 89 – Lucero 23, Comia 15, Soriano 13, Yutuc 11, Larupay 9, Mohammad 7, Dela Cruz 6, Rojo 3, Hilario 2, Udjan 0.
DAVAO OCCIDENTAL 85 – Wilson 22, Rodriguez 18, Agovida 12, Robles 12, Calo 9, Abundo 6, Custodio 4, Subido 2, Balagtas 0, Dagangon 0, Mag-isa 0, Sorela 0.
Quarters: 26-22, 48-51, 70-67, 89-85.
Second game
PAMPANGA G LANTERNS 78 – Reyson 20, Apolonio 18, Jamito 11, Bringas 7, Santos 4, Torrado 4, Vera 4, Garcia 3, Capulong 2, Concepcion 2, Sangalang 2, Pambid 1, Caralipio 0, Gania 0, Ramos 0.
MANILA 69 – Neypes 14, Celada 13, Alcoriza 12, Acibar 6, Arellano 6, Mancao 6, Dela Cruz 5, Bataller 4, Manalo 2, Gayosa 1, Escosio 0, Mangahas 0, Morales 0.
Quarters: 24-13, 37-29, 60-49, 78-69.
