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The Davao Occidental Cocolife Tigers hurdled one of their obstacles in their campaign this season, downing the Bataan Risers, 83-75, in the elimination round of the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League Lakan Cup at the FilOil Arena in San Juan City.
The Bataan troopers of coach Jong Uichico, regarded as one of the title contenders, rose to the occasion in the early goings, firing from long range and inside, ignited by Anton Inigo and Jai Reyes to seize control in the first quarter.
Tiger James Forrester joined hands with veterans Billy Robles, Bonbon Custodio, newcomer Marco Balagtas and main man Mark Yee to neutralize the Risers’ relentless assault in the next frame and level the score at 37-all at halftime,
Peaking his form at every game, Forrester, who found his home in Davao, put up another huge performance as he topscored for the Tigers of Dumper Party List Rep. Claudine Bautista of Davao Occidental, backed by Cocolife President Atty. Jose Martin Loon, FVP Joseph Ronquillo, AVP Rowena Asnan and SVP Franz Joie Araque to help his Mindanao team notch its seventh straight win.
They remained on top of team standings at 8-1 in the south division of the 31-team league organized by Sen. Manny Pacquiao.
The hard-earned win awarded Forrester his second Best Player of the Game recognition.
The classic close game until crunchtime was only decided when Tigers’ role player Emman Calo converted a pair of freebies at the line, 81-75, with 13 seconds left to snatch the victory off the fallen Bataan.
Alvin Pasaol topscored for the Risers’ losing cause.
“We stayed focused during the endgame. James [Forrester] shone and our frontline delivered offensively and defensively as we considered this game a playoff,” Tigers’ coach Don Dulay said.
