Former Philippine Basketball Association player Bonbon Custodio took charge down the stretch as Davao Occidental turned back Pampanga, 82-77, while Laguna got back on track in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) Datu Cup at Alonte Arena in Biñan, Laguna, over the weekend.
Custodio, the former University of the East star who played seven seasons in the PBA, sparked Davao’s late charge in the last five minutes as the Tigers overhauled a 12-point deficit on their way to a second straight win that raised their record to 4-3.
Leo Najorda, Mark Yee and Billy Ray Robles, also ex-PBA players, likewise dished out solid games for the Tigers, who will play their first home game against Valenzuela on Thursday at USEP Gym.
In the second game, the Laguna Heroes put together their best game of the season so far in drubbing the Parañaque Patriots, 76-52.
Jai Reyes showed fiery form with 21 points, nine rebounds and three steals for the Heroes, who notched back-to-back victories to rise to 3-4.
Michael Mabulac contributed 18 points, seven rebounds and two blocks while Raymond Ilagan and Ralph Olivarez chipped in 10 points each for the Krah Pipes-backed Heroes.
With the Tigers trailing 58-70, Custodio whipped up a storm, scoring 12 of his team-high 24 points in that span. The stretch included six straight points after the Lanterns took a 75-74 advantage.
Custodio ended up with 24 points, six rebounds and six assists to earn his second straight best player of the game honor.
Najorda and Yee added 21 and 13 points, respectively, while Robles, had 13 points.