MANILA – Boracay Islanders fell short of pulling off an upset against Davao Occidental Tigers, 88-85, at the start of the Pilipinas Super League Pro Division- Second Conference Dumper Cup on Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
After falling behind for most part of the game, the Islanders notched the lead at 83-82 on a layup by Johnsherick Estrada but Rommel Canaleta committed an unsportsmanlike foul on Tigers’ Kyt Jimenez, who swung the lead to his team with two free throws.
Jimenez and Larry Rodriguez widened the lead for Davao Occidental at 88-83 with back-to-back inside hits. Boracay cut it to 85-88 and still had a chance to inch closer but Estrada flubbed his free throws.
Keith Agovida wound up with a double-double of 25 points and 14 rebounds to lead the Tigers, while Bonbon Custodio chipped in 17 markers, four boards, six assists, and two steals.
John Wilson also finished with 16 points, four rebounds, two assists, and two steals and Rodriguez had 14 and three as Davao launched its drive for a second straight crown on a high note.
Estrada, meanwhile, paced the Islanders with 18 points and four rebounds, while former PBA stars Canaleta and Mark Cardona also hit double-digits with 17 and 14 markers, respectively.
Sta. Rosa Laguna, meanwhile, also kicked off its campaign in the tournament on a winning note following a lopsided 100-62 domination of Cagayan de Oro-PSP behind the balance attack of its players.
Moncried Rogado scattered 17 points, grabbed two rebounds, and issued five assists for the Lions, while Enzo Joson also had a productive game with 16 markers, four boards, and three feeds.
Negrense Mark Yee, who recently came from a stint with Bacolod BingoPlus in MPBL, tallied 12 markers, while former UAAP cagers Marvin Lee and Troy Mallilin had 12 points each.
Dariel Bayla and Alexander Mohammad carried the fight for Cagayan De Oro with 16 points apiece, while Jamil Ortuoste chipped eight markers.
BOX SCORE:
DAVAO OCCIDENTAL 88 – Agovida 25, Custodio 17, Wilson 16, Rodriguez 14, Jimenez 4, Dagangon 4, Abundo 4, Balagtas 2, Calo 2, Arana 0, Goloran 0, Subido 0, Apreku 0, Ibañez 0, Hubalde 0.
BORACAY 85 – Estrada 18, Canaleta 17, Cardona 14, Lopez 9, Fontanilla 7, Alabanza 6, Gimpayan 4, Faundo 4, Helterbrand 2, Bragais 2, Lasco 2, Anderson 0, Mallari 0, Soberano 0, Peñaredondo 0.
Quarterscores: 22-24, 47-44, 74-66, 88-85./PN
