By Ivan Stewart Saldajeno/PNA
MANILA — Davao Occidental claimed the first seat in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) Southern Division Finals after romping over Bacoor City, 87-67, at the Batangas City Sports Center on Saturday night.
Joseph Terso and Eman Calo each made 14 points for the Tigers, who zapped the Strikers, 47-27, in the second half to seal the 2-0 sweep of their South semifinal series.
Gab Banal tallied 17 markers, seven rebounds, three assists, and one steal for Bacoor City.
Meanwhile, Batangas City lived to fight another day after edging Zamboanga, 67-57.
The Athletics bounced back from a slow first quarter with an impressive second quarter showing and pulled away later in the match to tie their own best-of-three series at 1-all.
Jeff Viernes scored 16 points, seven rebounds, and eight assists for Batangas City, which will host Game 3 on Tuesday night.
Robin Roño, meanwhile, made 16 markers, six boards, two dimes, and one steal for Zamboanga.
