BACOOR CITY – Davao Occidental advanced to the South Division Finals with a gutsy 62-58 win over Zamboanga in their do-or-die match while Bacoor forced a rubber match by downing Basilan, 80-69, in the 2020 Chooks-to-Go MPBL Lakan South semifinals Thursday at Strike Gymnasium here.
Kenneth Mocon took charge in the final frame, firing eight points in a 17-4 blast to put Davao ahead by 14 points, 59-45, with 5:49 left in the game.
Not wanting to go down without a fight, the Zamboanga quartet of Alvin Pasaol, Santi Santillan, Anton Asistio, and Robin Roño connived in a 13-2 blast to slice the lead to just three, 61-58 with 58 ticks left.
Zamboanga had one last chance to extend the game when injured Mark Yee air-balled a three for Davao.
But to their dismay, Asistio muffed a game-tying three-pointer on the other end before Bonbon Custodio iced the game with a split from the line.
The Davao Tigers won the series, 2-1.
“We expected Zamboanga to fight, I was hoping to stay within striking distance the game and luckily our experience carried us in the fourth. We’re lucky that that happened for us,” said Davao Occidental head coach Don Dulay.
Mocon, the lone double-digit scorer for Davao, had 14 points built on four three-pointers while also hounding Asistio throughout the final frame.
Chester Saldua chipped in eight points, seven rebounds, and three assists while James Forrester had eight markers as well laced with four boards, three dimes, and two steals.
Yee, who is playing through a partial tear in his anterior cruciate ligament and a torn calf, produced four points, five rebounds, three assists, and a steal in 12 minutes and 31 seconds of action.
Despite missing reigning MVP Gab Banal, second-ranked Bacoor still delivered in front of its home fans.
Ian Melencio spearheaded the Strikers with 17 points and four steals. Banal did not suit up due to a sprained left MCL.
Bacoor was in control of the game, posting 37-10 advantage, before the Basilan Steel slowly got themselves back in contention with several offensive spurts.
However, it was a case of too little, too late as Bacoor ran away with the victory.
“Their press kind of rattled us but I think yung preparation namin worked for the first three quarters,” said Bacoor coach Chris Gavina.
Michael Mabulac posted a double-double of 14 points and 19 rebounds while Mark Montuano chipped in 15 markers and seven boards.