By KRISTEL SATUMBAGA
Davao Occidental Tigers-Cocolife mauled the Muntinlupa Defenders, 108-50, and firmed up their hold of second place in the FilBasket Subic Championship Thursday at the Subic gym.
The Tigers led as many as 60 points, 108-48, as rugged forward Jerwin Gaco made a rare triple in the last 35 seconds on the way to improving their record to 7-2.
The win likewise erased the stigma of a 76-69 loss to Burlington EOG Sports Wednesday.
Five players scored in twin figures for Davao Occidental with Keith Agovida and John Wilson finishing with 18 and 16 points, Billy Ray Robles adding 11 points, and Aldwin Alday and Gaco contributing 10 points apiece.
Muntinlupa absorbed its eighth consecutive defeat.
Meanwhile, the San Juan Knights squeaked past the Pasig Sta. Lucia Realtors, 72-70.
Larry Rodriguez and Orlan Omar split their charities in the last 26 seconds to lead the Knights to their sixth win in eight games at third place.
Jun Manzo finished with 16 points and six boards, while Jhonard Clarito and Omar scored 14 and 12 for the Knights, who dealt the Realtors their fourth defeat in eight matches.
In the other match, Jeff Viernes pumped in 21 points, including six triples, to lead MTrans Batangas City to an 82-75 win over 7A Primus.
MTrans also got a big lift from Chito Jaime, who had 14 points and seven boards, as well as Pamboy Raymundo, who tallied 13 points, seven rebounds and six assists.
Marc Paolo Javillonar was the lone double-digit scorer with 18 points for 7A Primus, who fell to 2-7.
