THE Davao Occidental Tigers sent the 2020 Chooks-to-Go MPBL Lakan South Division Finals to a winner-take-all Game Three after they downed the Basilan-Jumbo Plastic, 81-76, in Game Two at the Lamitan City Gym in Basilan on Wednesday, March 11, 2020.
University of the Visayas product Eman Calo did everything he can to extend Davao’s season as he poured in 17 points, eight rebounds, three assists, three steals while Richard Albo came off the bench to give the Tigers a spark with 14 markers on 5-of-8 shooting.
The game could have gone either way as it was tied at 74 after an Allyn Bulanadi basket with 1:33 left. Billy Ray Robles answered with a booming left-wing triple to give Davao a 77-74 edge before Bulanadi scored another deuce.
But with 56.2 ticks left, Tigers guard Bonbon Custodio took advantage of a mismatch with Basilan’s big man Jay Collado defending him and then, banked one in to give Davao a 79-76 lead.
On the next play, Bulanadi airballed a three-pointer before Davao star Mark Yee iced the game from the stripe.
The Tigers were ahead entering the payoff period, 64-55, but Jhaps Bautista took over for Basilan. He drilled four three-pointers and had an assist to put the Steel up, 69-65 with 4:31 left.
Bautista tallied 24 points, six boards and four dimes for Basilan while Jay Collado had 21 markers and eight rebounds.
The winner-take-all rubber match will be on Saturday in Davao. (JNP)