Davao beefs up MPBL title defense with off-season acquisitions

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

The Davao Occidental Tigers are all set and ready for the upcoming Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) Mumbaki Cup.

The recently crowned MPBL Lakan Cup champions are looking to defend their title and presented a strong case of a repeat after revealing their newest additions to their roster.

“We are competing for a back-to-back so we needed to be quicker on the defensive end and help us on the offensive end,” said head coach Don Dulay.

Headlining the list of new players is former PBA role player Keith Agovida who won several championships with the San Miguel Beermen.

Agovida will be joined by forward Robby Celiz, center Chris Lalata, savvy guard Aldwin Alday, former Basilan Steel quick guard Irven Palencia, scorer Chris Dumapig, Joe Presbitero, Gab Dagangon, and Dariel Bayla.

These players will be replacing Erwin Gaco, Richard Albo, Yvan Ludovice, Kenneth Mocon, Harry Dumagan, Bogs Raymundo, Jeck Desabille, Embons Bonleon, and Don Adormeo.

“It was a hard decision, especially on my part. We talked about it with management but we needed to change our homegrowns and also get younger,” added Dulay.

Those who will be staying with the Tigers are Mark Yee, Bonbon Custodio, Billy Robles, Chester Saldua, Emman Calo, Marco Balagtas, and Joseph Terso.