THE Davao-Go-Duterte Eagles arranged a titular showdown with the defending champion University of Sto. Tomas (UST) Growling Tigers after routing University of Cebu (UC) Webmasters, 80-65, in the resumption of the 33rd Kadayawan sa Dabaw Invitational Basketball Tournament at the jampacked Almendras Gym Davao City Recreation Center (DCRC) Saturday evening, August 11.
The championship game between the Dabawenyos and the defending champion was scheduled Sunday evening, August 12, while the battle for third between National University (NU) and UC was playing as of yesterday press time.
After adjustments were made from a stinging defeat at the hands of the NU Bulldogs last Friday, August 17, the Davao-Go-Duterte unleashed its full potential on both ends to demolish the Cebuanos.
James Linares and Glenn Manlangit led a 20-13 first quarter run while import Shooster Olago, Mahloney Tarranza and Conrad Fernando joined efforts in the second quarter for Davao-Go-Duterte to establish a 45-31 advantage at the break.
Koi Espiritu and Leandry Sanjo then drew big plays in the third frame that stretched the Dabawenyos' lead to 19 points.
The Webmasters, however, prepared some answers in the final stretch but Francis Gabriel Escandor went for the kill and capped the game with back-to-back baskets.
Linares paced the Eagles with 12 points while Manlangit, Olago, Espiritu and Escandor drilled in 11 markers each.
The Growling Tigers, meanwhile, rallied late in the homestretch to dump the National University (NU) Bulldogs, 80-65.
Ken Zamora erupted with 16 points including the momentum-changer triples in the crucial period.
The event is presented by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) Davao in partnership with the Sports Development Division-City Mayor’s Office (SDD-CMO).