Tigers roar in MPBL South playoffs

MANILA, Philippines — Last year’s runner-up Davao Occidental-Cocolife kick-started its bid on a high note after holding off Bicol-LCC Stores, 77-71, at the start of the 2019-2020 Chooks-to-Go/MPBL Lakan Season South Division playoffs last Monday at the RMC Gym in Davao City.

Veteran big man Mark Yee led the way for the Tigers with 20 points, 12 rebounds and four assists while Eman Calo and Billy Ray Robles chipped in 18 and 11 markers, respectively, in the comeback win.

Davao took a 1-0 lead in the best-of-three quarterfinals affair with a chance to advance to the divisional semifinals on Friday in Game 2 at the Batangas City Coliseum.

The Tigers failed to capitalize on their homecourt advantage against the undeterred visitors, who came out with guns ablaze and led for most part of the first half.

But with Yee flaunting his playoff experience on the eighth-seeded Volcanoes, the Tigers stayed composed and eventually found their stroke down the road to take a gritty win.

In the other game, No. 5 Zamboanga-Family’s Brand Sardines escaped with a narrow 78-74 win over No. 4 Batangas-Tanduay to move on the verge of progressing to the next round.

Alvin Pasaol stuffed the stats sheet with 17 points, five rebounds, two steals, a block and an assist while getting key support from Robin Roño (13), Aaron Black (11) and Harold Arboleda (10).