MANILA – Negrense Mark Yee scored on a game-winner as Davao Occidental Tigers-Cocolife edged San Juan Knights-Go For Gold in an overtime, 89-88, to claim the 2019-2020 MPBL Lakan Cup crown on Sunday night at the Subic Bay Gymnasium in Subic, Zambales.
Trailing 86-88 with under a minute left, Yee swung the lead for Davao Occidental with a top of the key triple with 13 seconds left before putting on defense on the other end to wrap up the championship in Game 4.
“Unang-una, hindi ko gawa ‘to, gawa ng Panginoon ito. Ang ginawa po namin ay nagtiwala kami sa Kanya at nagtulong-tulong kami,” the 39-year-old forward said.
The Sagay City, Negros Occidental-native Yee was hailed as Finals Most Valuable Player after finishing with double-double 19 points and 12 rebounds for the Davao Occidental, which avenged its championship defeat to San Juan two years ago.
Emman Calo led the way with 22 points, while Ilonggo Billy Ray Robles and Joseph Terso contributed 11 markers apiece for the Tigers which ended the best-of-five title series at 3-1.
“Payback. It’s so much sweeter because we got it back from San Juan. We were so close last time and it was heartbreaking as an organization,” said Davao Occidental head coach Donald Dulay.
The Tigers went on a 13-1 run to take a 37-21 lead in the second period to which the Knights retaliated with a 20-3 blitz bridging through the third canto to gain the advantage, 41-40.
It was a seesaw affair for both teams since then with San Juan having a chance to extend the series to a do-or-die Game 5 but Davao Occidental’s Calo connected a triple to send the game into overtime.
Both teams were still knotted at 86-all in overtime before Larry Rodriguez swung the lead to San Juan for the last time at 88-86 on an inside hit. Davao Occidental had a chance to tie but Terso missed his free throws, Yee then played the hero’s role with a triple.
Rodriguez came through for the Knights with 19 points and eight boards while Jhonard Clarito got 18 markers and 11 rebounds. CJ Isit also had a double-double with 14 points and 10 dimes.
BOX SCORE:
DAVAO OCCIDENTAL 89 – Calo 22, Yee 19, Terso 11, Robles 11, Mocon 9, Balagtas 8, Gaco 4, Saldua 3, Custodio 2, Albo 0, Ludovice 0.
SAN JUAN 88 – Rodriguez 19, Clarito 18, Isit 14, Wilson 13, Wamar 7, Tajonera 6, Gabawan 4, Ayonayon 3, Aquino 2, Estrella 2, Pelayo 0, Reyes 0.
Quarterscores: 24-18, 40-31, 56-60, 80-80. 89-88./PN
