VETERAN big man Larry Rodriguez carried defending champion Davao Occidental-Cocolife to a 73-67 victory over Bicol on Saturday to extend its unbeaten run to three in the Pilipinas Super League Pro Division Second Conference Dumper Cup at the Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center in San Fernando, Pampanga.
Rodriguez, a PBA journeyman, uncorked 14 points, to go with eight rebounds and four assists for the Tigers, while Kieth Agovida had a double-double of 13 points and 10 rebounds.
Gab Dagangon also added 11 points and two rebounds for Davao Occidental which rose to 3-0 won-lost.
The Tigers blasted Manila, 105-91, last Wednesday, while the Spicy Oragons failed to do an encore to an 88-83 decision over Cagayan de Oro-PSP also last Wednesday and fell to 2-2.
Later, Boracay brought down the Stars, 87-80, for a breakthrough triumph.
Jaymar Guimpayan notched 15 points and 16 rebounds for the Islanders, while Damian Lasco chipped in 12 points.
Former PBA standout KG Canaleta and Joseph Peñaredondo combined for 22 points, while JR Alabanza also added 10 points as Boracay bucked the one-game suspension of Mac Cardona to atone for a 96-111 loss to Batang Kankaloo-Caloocan last Thursday and improved to 1-2.
Bicol gunner James Martinez was held to 18 points on 5-of-18 shooting, a far cry from his 31-point game the last time out.
Mark Montuano contributed 16 and nine for the Oragons, who showed up without star guard Alwin Alday (under the weather).
Tournament scoring leader Rence Alcoriza’s 26 points went for naught in Manila’s setback that dropped the Stars to 1-2.
Macky Acosta and Guilmer Dela Torre got 12 and 14 points, respectively for Manila.
In the first game, the debuting ARS Warriors banked on Ivan Villanueva and Ian Melecio’s 24 points each to repulse Cagayan de Oro 92-87.
Erlan Umpad and Bryan Hilario also scored 15 and 11 markers, respectively for the ARS Warriors.
Jopet Soriano paced Cagayan de Oro with 16 points and eight rebounds, while Dariel Bayla had 14 markers.
Jamil Ortiouse, Jayvee Dela Cruz, and Billy Rojo finished with 13, 13, and 12 points, respectively for Cagayan de Oro, which remained winless in three outings.