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Davao Occidental Tigers

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Davao Occidental Tigers
2024 Davao Occidental Tigers season
Davao Occidental Tigers logo
LeagueMPBL (2018–2020, 2024–present)
FilBasket (2021)
PSL (2021–present)
Founded2018; 6 years ago (2018)
HistoryDavao Occidental Tigers
2018–present
ArenaUniversity of Southeastern Philippines Gymnasium & Cultural Center
RMC–Petro Gazz Arena
Davao City Recreation Center
RDR Gymnasium
LocationDavao Occidental
Team colors     
Main sponsorUnited Coconut Planters Life Assurance Corporation
Head coachManu Iñigo
ChampionshipsMPBL: 1 (2021)
PSL: 1 (2022)
Conference titlesMPBL: 2 (2019, 2020–21)

Davao Occidental Tigers, also known as Davao Occidental Tigers – Cocolife due to sponsorship reasons, are a Filipino professional basketball team based in the province of Davao Occidental. The team competes in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League as a member of the league's South Division. They are the lone team based in the Davao Region.

The franchise was founded as an expansion team in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) for its 2018–19 season.[1][2] Following their title in the 2021 MPBL finals, they moved to the Pilipinas Super League (PSL) and became one of its founding members, before returning to the MPBL in 2024.

Despite being based in Davao Occidental, the team hasn't played any home games within the province. Instead, the team plays in arenas across Davao Region, more specifically the Metro Davao area.

The Davao Occidental Tigers are one of the more successful home-and-away teams in the country, with four finals appearances across both the MPBL and PSL. Of those four appearances, the Tigers won the 2021 MPBL finals and the 2022 Pilipinas Super League finals.

History

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2018–2021: First MPBL stint

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Davao Occidental Tigers were established in 2018 as an expansion team in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League. The Tigers were one of three teams to be based in Mindanao at the time, alongside General Santos and Zamboanga. The team led by Mark Yee saw immediate success, clinching the South Division's top seed with a 20–5 record.

In the playoffs, Tigers swept Cebu City in the First Round, as well as Bacoor City in the division semifinals. In the South Division finals, they met the defending champion Batangas City Athletics. Although Batangas City forced a game 3 in overtime, the series was won by Davao Occidental and they faced San Juan Knights in the 2019 MPBL finals. The series went back-and-forth with both teams alternating wins, all coming down to a winner-take-all game in Davao City. Tigers led by three points heading into the last minute, however, Jhonard Clarito scored four consecutive points for San Juan as Davao Occidental lost the game and the series by a single point.

Looking to come back after a stunning finals loss, Davao Occidental kept the same core heading into the 2019–20 season. Once again the team clinched the top seed in the South Division with a record of 26–4. This made Davao Occidental Tigers the first, and currently only, MPBL team to clinch the best division record in back-to-back seasons.

To begin their 2020 playoff campaign, Tigers first beat Bicol in three games. They then met Zamboanga in the division semifinals, with the first game ending up as the lowest-scoring in the MPBL history. Davao Occidental then matched up with Basilan in the South Division finals. With the series tied 1–1, it saw an abrupt ending following the suspension of the playoffs due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines. When the playoffs continued the following year, multiple Basilan members were tested positive for the virus, thus the series was awarded to Davao Occidental, creating a finals rematch against San Juan. Davao Occidental got their revenge and won the series in four games, thus winning their first league championship in franchise history.

2021–2024: FilBasket and Pilipinas Super League

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Following their MPBL championship run, Davao Occidental Tigers took part in the inaugural tournament of FilBasket, the 2021 Subic Championship.[3] The team clinched second place in the elimination round with a 7–3 record. After winning against Burlington EOG in the quarterfinals, Tigers experienced déjà vu when they lost to San Juan in the semifinals by a single point.

In 2021, the team became a founding member of the Pilipinas Super League, formally moving from the MPBL. Before their PSL debut, the Tigers secured to participation in the ASEAN Basketball League.[4] Unfortunately, the 2022 season was cancelled due to the continuing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic in Southeast Asia. Much like their MPBL debut, the lead the PSL with the best record in the 2022 Pearl of the Orient Cup, finishing 13–1.[5] The team then swept both Basilan and Cagayan de Oro on their way to the first PSL championship. In the following 2022–23 DUMPER Cup, Davao Occidental remained among the best teams with the second-best record of the elimination round. The team did suffer losses against Boracay and the Pampanga Royce, before ultimately meeting the Pampanga G Lanterns led by Justine Baltazar. Davao Occidental ended up getting swept as the Lanterns won their first league championship.

2024: Second MPBL stint

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On March 29, 2024, Davao Occidental announced that they would return to the MPBL for the 2024 season.

Rivalries

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San Juan Knights

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Main article: Davao Occidental Tigers–San Juan Knights rivalry

Davao Occidental's rivalry against the San Juan Knights began in the MPBL when both teams met in back-to-back national finals series (2019 and 2021). Despite Davao Occidental competing in other leagues since then, both teams would still encounter each other whenever they compete in the same league. As of February 2024, the Davao Occidental Tigers have met the San Juan Knights a total of fifteen times across all leagues.

Current roster

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Davao Occidental Tigers roster
Players Coaches
Pos. No. Name Height Weight DOB From
2 Mancao, Jason Vincent (HG)
F/C 6 Sarangay, Mark 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) Mapúa
F 7 Ighalo, Kenneth 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 175 lb (79 kg) 1989–01–11 Mapúa
G 8 Simon, Peter June 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 1980–06–01 Mindanao
F 9 Lalata, Chris 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 198 lb (90 kg) 1995–01–09 Olivarez
F 10 Tumalip, Terrence 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 1990–05–13 TIP
F 11 Bayla, Dariel 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) Arellano
F 13 Custodio, Bonbon 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) 165 lb (75 kg) 1982–11–30 UE
F 16 Olayon, Mark Anthony 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 188 lb (85 kg) 1994–10–30 UE
G/F 17 Agovida, Keith 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 170 lb (77 kg) 1990–02–14 Arellano
F 18 dela Cruz, Arthur 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 210 lb (95 kg) 1992–01–09 San Beda
G 23 Tallo, Mac 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 187 lb (85 kg) 1994–01–02 Southwestern
G/F 24 Lojera, Kurt 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 188 lb (85 kg) 1995–10–16 De La Salle
G 27 Martinez, James 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) 170 lb (77 kg) 1987–01–31 UE
F 28 Arana, Dave (HG)
G 31 Enguio, Biboy 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 177 lb (80 kg) 1988–01–31 UE
C 32 Andrada, Yutien 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 1990–11–18 De La Salle
F/C 33 Nabong, Kelly 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 227 lb (103 kg) 1988–11–17 SRJC
G 40 Casiño, John Karlo 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) Centro Escolar
G 55 Koga, Ryusei 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m) San Beda
Head coach
  • Manu Iñigo
Legend
  • (HG) Homegrown
  • (FF) Filipino-foreigner
  • (SGL) Special Guest Licensee
  • (RS) Reserve player
  • Injured Injured
Updated as of: July 1, 2024

Head coaches

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Davao Occidental Tigers head coaches
2018–present
# Name Start End Regular season Playoffs Best finish Achievements
GC W L Win% GC W L Win%
1 Don Dulay 2018 25 20 5 .800 12 8 4 .667 Runner-up

Notable players

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Individual award winners

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All-Stars

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PBA players

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Season-by-season records

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League champions
Division champions
Qualified for playoffs
Best regular season record

Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League

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Season Regular season Playoffs
Division Finish GP W L PCT GB Stage Results
Davao Occidental Tigers
2018–19
Datu Cup		 South 1st 25 20 5 .800 – Division quarterfinals
Division semifinals
Division finals
National finals		 won vs. Cebu City, 2–0
won vs. Bacoor City, 2–0
won vs. Batangas City, 2–1
lost vs. San Juan, 2–3
2019–20
Lakan Season		 South 1st 30 26 4 .867 – Division quarterfinals
Division semifinals
Division finals
National finals		 won vs. Bicol, 2–1
won vs. Zamboanga, 2–0
won vs. Basilan, 2–1
won vs. San Juan, 3–1
Did not participate in 2022 and 2023
2024 South 7th 28 15 13 .536 6 Division quarterfinals lost vs. Batangas City, 0–2
All-time regular season record 83 61 22 .735 3 playoff appearances
All-time playoff record 26 17 9 .654 2 finals appearances
All-time overall record 109 78 31 .716 1 championship

Pilipinas Super League

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Season Elimination round Playoffs
Finish GP W L PCT GB Stage Results
Davao Occidental Tigers
2022
Pearl of the Orient Cup		 1st 14 13 1 .929 – Semifinals
Finals		 won vs. Basilan, 2–0
won vs. Cagayan de Oro, 2–0
2022–23
DUMPER Cup		 2nd 15 12 3 .800 3 Quarterfinals
Semifinals
Finals		 won vs. Boracay, 1–1
won vs. Pampanga Royce, 2–1
lost vs. Pampanga G Lanterns, 0–2
2023–24
President's Cup		 6th 18 13 5 .722 4 First round
Quarterfinals		 won vs. Misamis Oriental, 1–0
lost vs. Nueva Ecija, 1–1
All-time elimination round record 47 38 9 .809 3 playoff appearances
All-time playoff record 14 9 5 .643 2 finals appearances
All-time overall record 61 47 14 .770 1 championship

References

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  1. ^ Joble, Rey. "Davao Occidental first MPBL southern team to sign as expansion club". FoxSports. Archived from the original on May 1, 2018. Retrieved June 9, 2018.
  2. ^ Develos, Jon (May 17, 2018). "Davao Occidental Tigers gears up for 2nd MPBL season". Mindanao Times. Retrieved June 9, 2018.
  3. ^ Terrado, Reuben (July 26, 2021). "Reigning MPBL champion Davao Occidental to join FilBasket". Sports Interactive Network. Retrieved December 18, 2021.
  4. ^ Li, Matthew (January 19, 2022). "Davao Tigers get franchise in ABL". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved January 21, 2022.
  5. ^ "Davao Occidental leaves MPBL, named founding member of PSL". Tiebreaker Times. December 27, 2021. Retrieved January 21, 2022.
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