LAMITAN CITY — Davao Occidental and Makati struck back on Wednesday to force Game 3 deciders for division titles in the Chooks-to-Go/MPBL Lakan Season.
Relying on their veterans, the Davao Occidental Tigers rallied and subdued the Basilan Steel, 81-76, to level their South title series, 1-1, at the overflow Lamitan City Gymnasium.
The Makati Super Crunch thwarted the San Juan Knights’ final assault to prevail, 91-88, and likewise tie their North playoffs at 1-1 in a game kept from public view due to the coronavirus scare at The Arena in San Juan City.
Game 3 of both series will be held on Saturday.
Billy Robles drilled in a triple from deep corner to push Davao ahead, 77-74, before Allyn Bulanadi scored to move Basilan to within a point.
Bonbon Custodio, however, responded with a banked shot off Basilan center Jay Collado to make it 79-76.
In the next play, Bulanadi airballed a triple as the ball slipped off his hands.
Mark Yee, the Tigers’ floor leader, then sealed the outcome with two charities that left the over 5,000 crowd stunned.
“We were doing good but Basilan is bound to come back. They are big shotmakers. But our guys fought tonight with our backs against the wall and I can’t be more proud,” said Davao coach Don Dulay.
With Bulanadi struggling and Basilan trailing, 64-55, Jhaps Bautista took charge with four triples and an assist to Collado to give the Steel back the lead, 69-65, still 4:31 remaining.
Yee, who is playing with a partial ACL tear, however, called his teammates on the floor to a brief huddle and they responded to the challenge.
Cebuano Eman Calo led the Cocolife-backed Tigers with 17 points, eight rebounds, three assists and three steals while Richard Albo delivered 14 points.
Bautista wound up with 24 points, six rebounds and four assists for the Jumbo Plastics-supported Steel while Collado scored 21 and snagged eight boards.
Trailing by 10, the Knights fought back behind Jhonard Clarito, Art Aquino, Orlan Wamar and CJ Isit to threaten at 87-89 with 20 seconds to go.
Makati’s Joseph Sedurifa, however, canned two free throws to raise the lead to four.
