The rivalry that started five years ago brought the same excitement and spilled over in the PSL President’s Cup as San Juan and Davao Occidental rekindled their old feud.
This time, the Tigers got the better end of the match up and spoiled San Juan’s home party with a thrilling 75-73 squeaker at the Filoil-EcoOil Centre late Thursday night.
Ex-PBA player Kelly Nabong kept his focus and survived the heckling and jeering of San Juan folks as he delivered 13 points to go along with seven rebounds as he led the Tigers’ redemption win against the same squad that defeated them in an emotional championship match in another league.
Theo Flores contributed 11 markers and Jun Manzo came up with a dagger trey that shoved the Tigers ahead, 74-64, with 2:43 left.
But Davao Occidental needed to withstand a late burst from San Juan before preserving its 11th win in 15 games.
The loss proved to be a better pill to swallow for the Kings, who absorbed only their second loss in 16 games.
Just last week, San Juan handed erstwhile unbeaten Biñan its first and only loss so far in the tournament.
Justine Sanchez, one of the few collegiate standouts playing for the Tigers, became a first-hand witness of this feverish rivalry.
“Sobrang saya ng feeling kasi alam ko kung paano nila tinatalo yung Davao dati sa home court nila,” said Sanchez, one of the promising stars of St. Benilde in the NCAA.
“So now, nakabawi kami and sobrang thankful ko kay God nakabawi kami.”
