Davao goes for 5th win today

Professional Davao tries to keep its clean slate when it tangles with resurgent Casino Cagayan de Oro at 3:30 p.m. today in the MBA National Conference at the Cebu Coliseum.

The Eagles have won their first four games and a repeat victory over the Amigos, whom they beat (97-87) on June 18, would push them further ahead in the Southern Conference.

They can’t afford to take the Amigos lightly, however. After dropping their first two games, the Amigos have rebounded by beating the fancied Negros Slashers, 110-102, and Cebuana Lhuillier, 100-94, respectively.

Coach Bong Go will call again on prized rookies Billy Mamaril and Jon Dan Salvador, recruits Cid White and Glenn Peter Yap and holdovers Peter June Simon, Bong Marata, Genesis Sasuman and Mike Manigo to carry the fight for the Eagles.

The Amigos shouldn’t be pushovers though as Vic Ycasiano’s wards have shown cohesion in their last two games.

Meanwhile, the LBC Batangas Blades exacted revenge on the Gilbey’s-Olongapo Volunteers, 97-90, on Monday night to tie their victims at 2-2 in the Northern Conference.

Alex Compton fired 28 points, dished off eight assists, grabbed three rebounds, had three steals and one block as the Blades avenged their 95-92 defeat to the Volunteers in the inaugurals on June 15.

With Jeffrey Sanders joining Compton in the offensive end, the Blades pulled away, 65-40, in the third quarter.

The Volunteers, however, rallied behind Jeffrey Flowers and Henry Fernandez to close the gap at 72-60. Topex Robinson even pushed the Volunteers to within 90-88 on two triples, but Sanders drove in and Compton nailed a triple to seal the outcome with just 1:44 left.