THE Cebu City Sharks suffered their fifth loss in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) Datu Cup, 71-64, to the Davao Occidental Tigers in the Strike Gymnasium in Bacoor, Cavite.

It was nip-and-tuck the whole game, with neither team leading by more than 10 points, but the Sharks had some crucial missed shots and turnovers that cost them the game.

The game was tied at 52-52 going into the fourth quarter. Cebu City took a 59-54 lead after a three-pointer and a jump shot by Patrick Cabahug and a two-pointer by Cesar Catli.

But the Tigers answered with a jumper by Jerold Cabanog and three free throws by former PBA player Bonbon Custodio to tie it at 59-59 at the 6:39 mark.

Cabahug gave Cebu City the lead again with a shot and a foul with 4:44 remaining. He missed his bonus point from the charity stripe.

That was the last time that the Sharks led as Davao Occidental went for an 8-0 rally to take a 67-61 lead with 1:10 left.

Cabahug made it a single possession lead, 67-64, after draining a three. With a chance to tie the game, Cabahug mishandled the ball from a pass by Victor Nuñez for a crucial turnover that might as well have cost the Sharks the game.

Billy Robles, a former PBA D-League player, dropped 14 points, grabbed eight rebounds and had two steals to lead Davao Occidental. He had huge help from former PBA cagers Custodio, Leo Najorda and Mark Yee.

Najorda and Custodio both had 13 points each, while Yee had eight points and 11 rebounds. Cabanog also had 10 points for the Tigers.

Cabahug led the Sharks with 13 points along with two steals and a block. Former University of the Visayas (UV) Green Lancers John Abad and Rhaffy Octobre had 13 and 12 respectively, while former PBA player Catli had eight markers and 11 boards.

The Sharks are still at the bottom of the table along with Rizal Crusaders with a 1-5 record. (EKA)