Davao Occidental-Cocolife kept its Pilipinas Super League title defense alive as it bounced back against Pampanga Royce Hotel in Game Two of the Manila Bankers Life-backed Pro Division Second Conference Dumper Cup semis, taking an 82-77 victory in Game 2 of the series, Thursday Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center in San Fernando, Pampanga.
Former pro John Wilson led the charge for the Tigers with an impressive performance, contributing 20 points, six rebounds, and two assists. Keith Agovida also put in a solid effort, scoring 13 points and grabbing four rebounds, while Emman Calo added 10 points and five rebounds to secure the victory for Davao Occidental.
The Tigers were looking to make amends for their 74-98 loss in the series opener last Monday in the tournament presented by Dumper party-list, Winzir, and Skin Care Depot, co-presented by SCD Cosmetics, and supported by NET 25, Adcon, Wcube Solutions Inc., MDC, Unisol, Don Benitos, and Finn Cotton. PBA and Gilas Pilipinas great Marc Pingris was also present as the Commissioner for the tournament.
With the knockout match tied at one game apiece, the two teams were set to face off in a do-or-die battle at the Filoil EcoOil Centre. The winner of this match would advance to the Big Dance, where they would meet the Pampanga G Lanterns, who had just beaten San Juan 75-61 in their own race-to-2 showdown before a wild and roaring home crowd.
King Caralipio was instrumental in the G Lanterns’ victory, contributing 19 points and six rebounds, while Justine Baltazar turned in an impressive double-double performance with 17 points and 12 rebounds.
Kurt Reyson also added 15 points for the charges of coach and Pampanga governor Dennis “Delta” Pineda, who had just come off a 93-83 win in Game 1 of their Last Four battle also last Monday.
The Scores
First game
PAMPANGA G LANTERNS 75 – Caralipio 19, Baltazar 17, Reyson 15, Sangalang 8, Concepcion 7, Pambid 3, Binuya 2, K. Santos 1, R. Santos 1, Del Rosario 0, Capulong 0, Bautista 0, Jamito 0.
SAN JUAN 61 – Wamar 20, Mojica 6, Javillonar 6, Yu 5, Calisaan 4, Marquez 3, Tajonera 3, Ubalde 3, Nocum 2, Panganiban 2, Taywan 2, Calahat 2, Soberano 0.
Quarters: 16-27, 38-34, 61-45, 75-61.
Second game
DAVAO OCCIDENTAL-COCOLIFE 82 – Wilson 20, Agovida 13, Calo 10, Subido 9, Rodriguez 8, Dagangon 7, Jimenez 4, Celiz 4, Abundo 3, Balagtas 2, Robles 2.
PAMPANGA ROYCE HOTEL 77 – Mendoza 13, Palencia 13, Huang 10, J. Flores 8, Gozum 8, Verano 7, Bahio 6, Liwag 6, Cullar 3, Yambing 0, Tolentino 0, C. Flores 0.
Quarters: 21-19, 41-39, 62-63, 82-77.
