Never in the young history of the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball Leage (MPBL) did a team win back-to-back championships. The Batangas City Tanduay Athletics who secured the inaugural Championship trophy in the Anta Rajah Cup failed to defend their crown after they were eliminated by the Davao Occidental Tigers in the South Division Finals of the Datu Cup.
It was, however, the San Juan Knights who took home the championship crown in the Datu Cup after a thrilling win against the Tigers in the deciding game 5 at the Tigers' home court- thanks to a game winner by Jhonard Clarito. Yet again, the defending champion lost the crown in the following season as San Juan bowed to the Davaol Occidental Tigers.
The Tigers retained their core
For the upcoming fourth season of the MPBL otherwise known as the Mumbaki cup, the Davao Occidental Tigers retained its core. The ageless Mark Yee who drained the game-winning three (3) pointer that clinch them the crown will return for the Tigers. Mark Yee averaged 13.5 points, 10.25 rebounds, 2.75 assists, 1.5 steals, and 1.0 block per game in the Finals which was more than enough to earn the Finals Most Valuable Player (MVP) award.
Also returning for the Davao Occidental squad is Bonbon "Bonfire" Custodio who is the steady court general for the Cocolife-backed Tigers. Bonbon Custodio contributed 6.8 points, 3.9 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 1.1 steals per outing during the Lakan Season.
The Ilonggo Superman Billy Ray Robles will also relish his role for the Tigers. Robles played key minutes for the Tigers on both the offensive and defensive end. It will be remembered that Billy Ray Robles blocked a potential game winner by Mike Ayonayon in the first game of their championship series.
Completing the returning casts are big man Chester Saldua, Eman Calo, Joseph Terso, and Marco Balagtas.
Tigers released players to create slots
As the MPBL becomes more competitive, the Tigers definitely need reinforcement if they want to defend their crown in the Mumbaki Cup. They wasted no time in revamping their lineup by releasing several players and replacing them with accomplished players who they hope can solidify their repeat campaign.
Jerwin Gaco who is widely considered as a lucky charm in basketball will no longer play for the Tigers. Despite his key contributions in the Finals, the Tigers decided to let go of Jerwin Gaco who had collected championship trophies from the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP), Philippine Basketball Association (PBA), Philippine Basketball League (PBL), PBA D-League, and most recently the MPBL. Perhaps he can take his luck to other teams eager to snatch the crown from the Tigers.
The veteran Richard Albo is also out of the Tigers' lair. The sharpshooter from Caloocan had contributed an average of 3.5 points to go along with 2.7 rebounds and 0.3 assists per game during his stint with the Tigers in the Lakan Season.
Big man Bogs Raymundo will no longer patrol the paint for Davao Occidental. He and Jerwin Gaco had been useful in relieving Mark Yee from big man duties. In 31 games that he played for the Tigers during the Lakan season, he posted an average of 3.7 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 0.6 assists.
Among the players released, Yvan Ludovice had the highest contribution offensively. He scored 6.8 points while grabbing 2.9 rebounds and dishing 3.3 assists per game.
Trailing him is Kenneth Mocon who also made significant contributions in the Tiger's championship run as he averaged 5.4 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per outing. He is no longer with the Tigers as he was recently drafted in the PBA.
Lastly, rarely-used Harry Dumagan, Jeck Desabille, and Don Adormeo were dropped from the squad.
| Name | Pts | Reb | Ast |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jerwin Gaco | 4.3 | 2.9 | 0.5 |
| Richard Albo | 3.5 | 2.7 | 0.3 |
| Yvan Ludovice | 6.8 | 2.9 | 3.3 |
| Harry Dumagan | 1.5 | 0.6 | 0.4 |
| Bogs Raymundo | 3.7 | 3.6 | 0.6 |
| Jeck Desabille | 1.8 | 1.8 | 0.3 |
| Kenneth Mocon | 5.4 | 2.0 | 1.7 |
| Embons Bonleon | 3.4 | 1.4 | 0.5 |
| Don Adormeo | 1.7 | 0.8 | 1.4 |
| Total | 32.1 | 18.7 | 9 |
Stronger Tigers are coming
With the release of the abovementioned players, the Tigers immediately secured the services of marquee players from other teams. Just looking at the names of their new recruits, you can immediately gauge that the Tigers' lineup was upgraded big time.
Robby Celiz who is the main scorer of the General Santos City Warriors sans Mickey Williams will take his scoring talent to neighboring Davao Occidental. He is the MPBL's ninth (9th) leading scorer with an average of 14.7 points. He also plays big inside grabbing 7.8 rebounds along with 2.7 assists per match.
| Name | Pts | Reb | Ast |
|---|---|---|---|
| Robby Celiz | 14.7 | 7.8 | 2.7 |
| Chris Lalata | 8.3 | 6.9 | 1.8 |
| Gab Dagangon | 10.3 | 5.4 | 1.8 |
| Irven Palencia | 5.8 | 1.8 | 3.3 |
| Jose Presbitero | 5.4 | 4.1 | 3.9 |
| Alwyn Alday | 13.5 | 3.9 | 2.8 |
| Chris Dumapig | 8.5 | 8.3 | 1.4 |
| Dariel Bayla | 0.0 | 2.0 | 0.0 |
| Keith Agovida | - | - | - |
| Total | 66.5 | 40.2 | 17.7 |
It is a major upgrade for the Tigers
On paper, we can already conclude that the management of the Tigers did an excellent job in revamping their lineup. Simply adding the scoring averages of Robby Celiz, Alwyn Alday, and Gab Dagangon will already show that they outscored all of the nine (9) players released by the Tigers.
Even the rebounding and assists figures are skewed heavily in favor of the newly-signed players. To illustrate how strong is the new lineup of the Tigers, Irven Palencia, Alwyn Alday, Gab Dagangon, Robby Celiz, and Chris Lalata can already form a starting five (5) that can give other teams a run for their money.
No doubt, the Tigers appear to repeat as champions on paper. However, and as they always say, "bilog ang bola." We do not know what will happen in the upcoming season as other teams are yet to announce their lineup and career-ending injuries may change the dynamics of the league.
Who knows, another team is forming a super team.