MANILA -- Davao Occidental took home the MPBL Southern Division championship with a 66-51 win against Batangas City in the decider of their best-of-three divisional finals at the Almendras Gym in Davao City on Monday night.
The Tigers set the tone in the first quarter, limiting the Athletics to just four points before opening a lead as high as 23 points, 35-12, in the second quarter.
Batangas City, the defending champion, threatened to make a comeback after a 21-10 third quarter attack cut the lead down to six, 48-42, and even came to within five, 45-50, with nine minutes left.
But five straight points from Eman Calo sparked the deciding 7-0 run that gave Davao Occ the needed cushion to hold on until the end.
Mark Yee put up 11 points, 12 rebounds, one assist, and two steals for the Tigers, who will meet the winner of Game 3 of the Northern Division Finals between the Manila Stars and the San Juan Knights later Monday at the FilOil Flying V Centre in San Juan City.
Calo, Miko Estrellante, and Bogs Raymundo each added nine points.
Jeff Viernes fired 24 markers, with five rebounds, five assists, and two steals for the Athletics, who failed to defend its national title. (PNA)
