ILOILO CITY — In the rematch of the Datu Cup Finals, champion San Juan-Go for Gold asserted its dominance against Davao Occidental-Cocolife, 84-65, in the 2019-20 Chooks-to-Go MPBL Lakan Season, Saturday at University of San Agustin Gym here.
Though the margin seemed imposing, the Knights needed to dig deep early in the contest.
The Tigers started their comeback entering the second half with a 15-5 burst. They trimmed San Juan’s once-26 point advantage to just eight, 54-46, with 3:19 left in the first half.
But as Davao chomped the lead down to just eight, 57-65, in the final frame, the Knights unloaded 13 straight points. San Juan then put the game away on a Jhonard Clarito layin off of a turnover at the 3:58 mark, 78-57. Andoy Estrella, John Wilson, and CJ Isit all contributed in the run as well.
“Siyempre, nagulat kami sa maagang lamang, pero lumaban kami sa depensa, sa dikdikan. Naka-match kami, naka-execute at gumana ang depensa namin,” said Knights coach Randy Alcantara.
Davao opened the game with five unanswered points but it was all San Juan after that. The Knights outscored their rivals 43-12, capped by Jeff Tajonera’s trey that put his squad ahead by a commanding 43-17 with four minutes left in the second period.
Orlan Wamar tallied 15 points in just less than 14 minutes of play to go with eight rebounds.
John Wilson delivered 14 points, seven rebounds, and two steals for San Juan, while Renzo Subido added 11 markers founded on three triples and three assists.
The Knights torched Davao from the outside, hitting 15 three-pointers, 11 from their pace-setting first half. They now rise to 23-3, still the top team in the Northern division.
On the other hand, Mark Yee and Yvan Ludovice registered 14 points apiece. The former also added 14 rebounds against five turnovers for the Cocolife-backed Davao Occidental.
Despite their five-game win streak halted, the Tigers retained the top seed in the Southern division behind a 21-4 win-loss card.
The Scores:
San Juan-Go for Gold 84 – Wamar 15, Wilson 14, Subido 11, Ayonayon 9, Clarito 9, Tajonera 9, Rodriguez 6, Isit 4, Estrella 4, Reyes 2, Aquino 1, Victoria 0, Bonifacio 0, Pelayo 0, Bunag 0.
Davao Occidental-Cocolife 65 – Ludovice 14, Yee 14, Gaco 9, Calo 8, Robles 6, Balagtas 5, Albo 3, Mocon 2, Bonleon 2, Forrester 1, Raymundo 1, Saldua 0, Dumagan 0, Adormeo 0.
Quarterscores: 26-13, 49-31, 63-51, 84-65.
Story by Justin Valencia
