DEFENDING champion Davao Occidental pulled off a thrilling 88-85 decision over hard-fighting Boracay in the opening match of the Pilipinas Super League Pro Division- Second Conference Dumper Cup on Wednesday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Proving steadier in the stretches that mattered, Kyt Jimenez canned two free throws off an unsportsmanlike foul on the Islanders’ KG Canaleta and followed it up with a clutch jumper for an 86-83 Tigers lead with a minute and 26 seconds remaining.
Larry Rodriguez nailed the insurance basket for an 88-83 Davao lead with 54.6 remaining.
Johnsherick Estrada’s layup earlier gave Boracay an 83-82 edge.
Keith Agovida wound up with a double-double of 25 points and 14 rebounds to lead the Tigers, while Bonbon Custodio chipped in 17 points, four rebounds, six assists and two steals.
Sta. Rosa Laguna ripped Cagayan De Oro-PSP, 100-62 behind a balanced attack in the other game on opening day.
Mon Rogado scattered 17 points, grabbed two rebounds and issued five assists for the Lions, while Enzo Joson added 16 points, four rebounds and three assists.
Mark Yee, Marvin Lee and Troy Malilin also had 12 points each for Sta. Rosa.
Dariel Bayla and Alexander Mohammad carried the fight for Cagayan De Oro with 16 points apiece.
John Wilson also finished with 16 points, four rebounds, two assists and two steals and Rodriguez had 14 points and three rebounds as Davao launched its drive for a second straight crown on a high in the league presented by Dumper party-list and Winzer and supported by Wcube Solutions Inc., MDC, Unisol, Don Benitos, and Finn Cotton, with Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) and Gilas Pilipinas great Marc Pingris serving as commissioner.
Estrada paced the Islanders with 18 points and four rebounds, while former PBA stars Canaleta and Mac Cardona got 17 and 14 points, respectively.
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