MANILA – Mark Cardona displayed his vintage form as Boracay Islanders stayed alive in the 2023 Pilipinas Super League Dumper Cup quarterfinals with a 91-80 win over Davao Occidental Tigers on Tuesday at the Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center in Pampanga.
The former PBA star top-scored with 27 points to go with eight rebounds and four assists as against eight turnovers as the Islanders forced a do-or-die game in their quarterfinals series.
Johnsherick Estrada chipped in 22 markers, Damian Lasco contributed 14 points, including two outside hits, while Jaymar Gimpayan added 13 points and six rebounds for Boracay.
The Islanders scored the victory despite the early exit of Anthony “Jayjay” Helterbrand, who suffered an injury in the opening quarter and did not return. He finished with just two rebounds in five minutes.
The Islanders surged to an 11-3 start behind early hits from Cardona and Gimpayan. The Tigers managed to trim it to 14-17 but conversions from Estrada, Lasco and Miguel Mallari widened Boracay’s lead to 26-17.
Boracay continued to dominate in the second quarter behind back-to-back triples from Joseph Penaredondo followed by connections by Cardona, Lasco and Estrada as the lead reached 57-36 via a three-pointer from Marvin Hayes.
The Tigers cut the deficit to 46-60 at the onset of the third quarter but Boracay increased it back to 17 via baskets from Estrada and Cardona. Davao, however, had another run to come within 65-76.
Boracay opened the fourth quarter with shots from Cardona and Estrada to widen the lead anew to 85-65. Davao Occidental rallied back late in the game but was not enough to turn the result around.
Gabriel Dagangon was the lone double-digit scorer for the Tigers with 17 points, while Negrense Robby Celiz struggled with just nine markers, while Ilonggo Billy Ray Robles was held to just two points.
Already in the semifinals round of the PSL tournament were top-seed and undefeated San Juan Kings, Pampanga Royce and Pampanga G Lanterns after beating their quarterfinals opponents in just one game.
BOX SCORE:
BORACAY 91 – Cardona 27, Estrada 22, Lasco 14, Gimpayan 13, Penaredondo 8, Mallari 4, Hayes 3, Helterbrand 0, Faundo 0, Sablan 0.
DAVAO OCCIDENTAL 80 – Dagangon 17, Celiz 9, Calo 8, Wilson 8, Subido 6, Mag isa 6, Jimenez 5, Rodriguez 4, Agovida 4, Talampas 4, Sorela 3, Balagtas 2, Cruz 2, Robles 2.
Quarterscores: 26-17, 59-42, 76-65, 91-80./PN
