Davao Occidental—The Cocolife Tigers leaned on veteran and a prized catch from the Visayas to score a convincing 90-78 victory over a more heralded Quezon City Capitals in the elimination stage of Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League Datu Cup on Tuesday at Pasig Sports Center.
Former PBA veteran Leo Najorda and ex- Unversity of Visayas standout Emmanuel Calo each scored 21 points and 6 rebounds to help propel the team from Mindanao, owned by Claudine Bautista of Davao Occidental LGU and backed by Cocolife President Elmo Nobleza to an impressive back-to-back win in their maiden campaign in the league organized by Senator Manny Pcquiao.
The Tigers, managed by FVP Joseph Ronquillo, Bhong Baribar and Ray Alao, exploded in the third as coach Don Dulay applied his patented run and gun play to neutralize the height advantage of the Capitals en route to win number two .
Billy Ray Robles also contributed with 7 points, 10 rebounds and 4 blocks to go with production from homegrowns Ronald Lamocha and Ted Paller.
The Capitals of coach Vis Valencia started hot as former UE Warrior Jeff Morillo led his team to a 21-15 first-quarter edge before the Tigers stopped their momentum for good.
Davao-Cocolife, which outscored the Imus Banderas, 75-71, in their first game in Laguna, shares a two-way tie with Muntinlupa Cagers, 2-0.
