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Cocolife Davao’s Mario Bonleon starred for the Tigers as they ripped Soccsargen Marlins, 104-75, in the elimination round of the 2019 Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League Lakan Season Monday at Navotas Sports Complex in Navotas City.
The sophomore Bonleon, a well-known Tiger defender with a shooting touch at the perimeter, exploded in the second half as he scored at will from inside and from downtown to help his team pull away from a close 54-52 scored in the middle of the third canto.
With huge support from his teammates, led by slotman Mark Yee, Billy Robles, Joseph Terso, Bogs Raymundo and newcomers Ivan Ludovice and James Forrester, the Davao team of Dumper Party List Rep. Claudine Bautista and backed by Cocolife President Atty. Jose Martin Loon, FVP Joseph Ronquillo, AVP Rowena Asnan and SVP Franz Joie Araque, never looked back en route to their sixth win in seven outings to stay on top of the south division standings.
Bonleon topscored with 22 points, hauled 4 rebounds and had an assist—just enough for him to be named Best Player of the Game–his highest feat so far in the league organized by Senator Manny Pacquiao.
The Tigers’ annihilation in the final half snapped an impressive start by the Marlins’ Spenser John Eman, Ranel Jake Diwa, Jerome Juanco and Norman Gonzales, who entered the game with a mission of scoring a giant upset and a first-ever victory, that went to naught as they remained winless in 5 games.
“Nabigyan ng lubos na tiwala ni coach [Don Dulay] kaya sinamantala ko ang pagkakataong magpasiklab sa opensa. I’m very thankful my shots are falling in for the team,” said Bonleon as he acknowledged his shooting coach deputy team manager Ray Alao.
