Sharks swept by Tigers, crash out of MPBL caging

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu City Sharks formally bade farewell to their maiden campaign in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League after getting swept by the more consistent Davao Occidental Tigers in their best-of-three quarterfinal series in the MPBL Datu Cup last Saturday night at the Lagao Gymnasium in General Santos City.

Facing no tomorrow, the Sharks did put up a gallant stand, but then again ran out gas when it mattered the most on the way to absorbing a heart-rending 69-76 defeat to the Tigers in Game 2 that ended their roller-coaster journey in community-based league founded by boxing superstar Manny Paqcquiao.

At one point, the Sharks went ahead by a dozen points, 58-46, on Joel Lee Yu’s layup with 1:06 left in the third quarter but wilted under a renewed challenge mounted by the roaring Tigers in the windup.

The last time the Sharks held on to the lead was at 68-67 on Edrian Lao’s jump shot at the final 2:07 mark of the contest.

They only scored a matchstick from there, spelling their doom.

William McAloney topscored for the Sharks with 13 points and 14 rebounds. Jayford Rodriguez also scored 13, while Harold Cortes, Edrian Lao and Rhaffy Octobre connived for 31 markers in a losing effort.

Emman Calo brought the heaviest damage on the Sharks, dropping a game-high 27 points for the Tigers.

Mark Yee and Billy Robles charted 25 points across their names for the Tigers, who advanced to the Final Four in the South Division against the Bacoor Strikers, who also swept their series against the General Santos City Warriors. (FREEMAN)