The reigning champions Davao Occidental Tigers nabbed an exciting 88-85 win over the newcomers, Boracay, in the opening match of the Pilipinas Super League Pro Division- Second Conference Dumper Cup on Wednesday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Tigers’ Kyt Jimenez canned two free throws off an unsportsmanlike foul on the Islanders’ KG Canaleta and followed it up with a clutch jumper that gave them an 86-83 count in the final 1:26 after Boracay briefly took an 83-82 lead on a Johnsherick Estrada layup.
Larry Rodriguez’s basket padded Davao’s lead to 88-83 in the ensuing play, with only 54.6 ticks left that took the fight out of Boracay.
Keith Agovida wound up with a double-double of 25 points and 14 rebounds to lead the Tigers, while Bonbon Custodio chipped in 17 markers, four boards, six assists, and two steals.
John Wilson also finished with 16 points, four caroms, two dimes, and two steals and Rodriguez had 14 and three as Davao launched its drive for a second straight crown on a high.
In the other game, Sta. Rosa Laguna ripped Cagayan De Oro-PSP, 100-62 behind a more balanced attack.
Cebuana Mon Rogado scattered 17 points, grabbed two rebounds, and issued five assists for the Lions, while Enzo Joson added 16 markers, four boards, and three feeds.
Mark Yee, Marvin Lee, and Troy Malilin also had 12 points each for Sta. Rosa.
Dariel Bayla and Alexander Mohammad carried the fight for Cagayan De Oro with 16 points apiece.