BACOOR CITY — Leonard Santillan was a beast for Zamboanga-Family’s Brand Sardines in their quarterfinals series versus South king Davao Occidental-Cocolife.
After averaging 13.33 points in their three-game series vs the Athletics, the Cebuano big man was held to an average of 10 points on a disappointing 22.22-percent clip against the Tigers.
But Santillan had wanted to celebrate his 24th birthday with a victory.
“Ginawa ko ang lahat para mapunta lang sa akin ‘yung bola… ‘Yung rebounding ko, para mai-score ko at makabawi sa lamang nila. Pero kinapos pa rin,” said Santillan.
“Siyempre, gusto ko na happy kaming lahat lalo na birthday ko.”
In Game Two, trailing by eight with over three minutes left, the La Salle product tried to take charge, attempting seven shots but only making two.
Their efforts went down the drain, though, as the Tigers survived with a 62-58 squeaker over Zamboanga. Davao Occidental then rolled to the 2020 Chooks-to-Go MPBL Lakan South division finals, Thursday at the Strike Gym here.
Echoing his big man, Family’s Brand Sardines head coach Britt Reroma praised Davao’s defense on two of his best players in Santillan and Alvin Pasaol.
“Davao is really a well-experienced team,” Reroma admitted. “We lost to a better team. Hats off to them, they limited my best players. This is a good learning experience for our young team.”
Meanwhile, Pasaol averaged just 6.5 points on a measly 25-percent shooting in the series.
But Santillan is still looking on the bright side despite the second round exit.
“Masaya kami sa na-achieve namin ngayon kasi roller-coaster ‘yung season namin eh — panalo, talo, panalo — kaya masaya kami kasi umabot pa rin kami sa semis.”
In the other semis match-up, Bacoor City — despite playing without Gab Banal — lived to fight another day after dealing Basilan an 80-69 loss.
Story by Justin Valencia
Photo by Nicks Hernandez
