The roller coaster ride continued for the Cebu City Sharks-Casino Ethyl Alcohol as they lost to the Davao Occidental Tigers, 71-64, in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) Anta Datu Cup on Tuesday night at the Strike Gymnasium in Bacoor, Cavite.
Fresh off their first win of the season — a morale-boosting victory over the reigning champions Batangas — the Sharks went cold during crunchtime to suffer their fifth loss against a lone victory.
Cebu City is now tied for the worst record in the league with the Rizal Strikers.
Patrick Cabahug led the Sharks in scoring with 14 but made just five of his 16 attempts. John Abad added 13 points and six assists while Rhaffy Octobre pitched in 12 points and seven boards.
Early in the fourth, it appeared as if the Sharks would be able to nab yet another win as they led, 59-54, after a layup by Cesar Catli and a long two by Cabahug.
The Tigers regrouped and grabbed the driver’s seat 67-61, after six straight free throws by Bonbon Custodio and Billy Robles, with 1:10 remaining.
Cabahug pulled Cebu City to within three, 64-67, with a three pointer and even had a shot to tie or come closer had he not turned the ball over with 37 seconds left in the tightly contested match.
Another precious opportunity presented itself for the Sharks as Robles missed two free throws, handing possession back to Cebu City with 22 seconds left. However, they could not capitalize as Victor Nunez threw an errant pass.
Leo Najorda and Robles then put the game on ice with four straight makes from the charity stripe.
Davao Occidental got 13 points and eight boards from Robles and 13 apiece from Najorda and Custodio.
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