DAVAO CITY – Basilan exploded in the final quarter to trounce Bacoor, 77-63, while Davao Occidental dumped listless Zamboanga, 47-28, on Monday to move closer toward a title duel in the South division of the Chooks-to-Go/MPBL Lakan Season at RMC Petro Gazz Arena here.
The third-ranked Basilan Steel allowed the second-ranked Bacoor Strikers to threaten at 54-53 before Allyn Bulanadi drilled in a triple to spark a lethal 18-2 salvo that padded the lead to 17 with only 3:55 to go.
Another triple by Jay Collado put the Jumbo Plastics-backed Steel beyond reach, 77-59, as they moved within a win of forging a best-of-three South finals tussle with the Davao Occidental Tigers, who pounced on the lackluster shooting and erratic play of Zamboanga Family’s Brand Sardines to tally the forgettable victory.
The 75 total score of Davao and Zamboanga erased the previous low of 92 held by Cebu and Marikina. Their halftime total of 30 (19-11) was also a record in futility.
Zamboanga’s score (28) likewise eclipsed Marikina’s 42.
Despite missing the services of floor leader Mark Yee, due to partial ACL tear, and Yvan Ludovice, the Tigers of coach Don Dulay led all the way as the Zamboanguenos made only eight of 60 attempts (13.3 percent) and went scoreless in the last 7 minutes and 11 seconds.
Davao’s Emman Calo emerged the lone double digit scorer of the game with 12 points.
Compensating for the Davao-Zamboanga sleeper was the Basilan-Bacoor spirited battle.
With the Steel ahead at 48-35, Oping Sumalinog knocked in back-to-back triples to trigger a 16-6 counter by the Strikers that pushed them to within 51-54 after the third quarter.
Bulanadi wound up with 22 points, followed by Hesed Gabo with 13 points plus six assists. Anthony Bringas chipped in four points but ruled inside with 14 boards.
According to Basilan coach Jerson Cabiltes, they scouted the Strikers thoroughly.
“I just told the boys to stay composed and to continue what we’re doing right which is to put pressure on the ball,” said Cabiltes.
The Strikers missed the services of go-to-guy Gab Banal, who hurt his left knee following a collision with Bulanadi at the1:19 mark of the second quarter.
Bacoor got 10 points from Oping Sumalinog.