Davao Occidental Tigers Cocolife leaves MPBL to become a founding member of new basketball league PSL

According to reports, the Tigers left the MPBL to become a founding member of the new regional basketball league Pilipinas Super League.

Also part of PSL are   Cagayan Valley, the Pagadian Explorers, Tsada Kagayan, Basilan Peace Riders, and teams from Danao, Lapu-Lapu, and Boracay.

Running the PSL are former VisMin Super Cup CEO Rocky Chan and COO Chelito Caro.

Also supporting the new league are Cocolife, Dumper, Phenom Sportswear, Malyab, Tri-Energy Corporation, and WCube Solutions.

On December 14, the Tigers showed once again that they are an elite basketball team by beating the best players of the Pilipinas VisMin Super Cup in an All-Star game 111-89 14 at the Pagadian City Gymnasium in Zamboanga del Sur.

Former pro-veteran sharpshooter John Wilson scored 30 points including seven three-pointers to carry the Tigers to victory against the determined Vismin Super Cup All-Star squad.

The Tigers coached by Davaoeno basketball great Arvin Bonleon was a team on a mission as they led from start to finish in the game.

Aside from Wilson, the winning Tigers team is also composed of Paolo Hubalde, Emmanuel Calo, Bon Custodio, Jason Grimaldo, Billy Robles, Rob Celiz, Jerwin Gaco, Gab Dagangon, Keith Agovida, Alwin Alday, Joseph Terso, Marco Balagtas, Chris Latala, Irven Palencia, Allan Santos, and Jose Presbitero.

The losing Vismin Super Cup All-Star selection are composed of Joseph Nalos, Shaq Imperial, Adrian Lao, Joel Lee Yu, Rhaffy Octobre, Gayford Rodriguez, Mac Baracael, Jonel Bonganciso, Junjie Hallare, Cris Dumapig, Dennis Daa, Darwin Lunor, CJ Pamaran, Jorem Morada, Cyrus Tabi, and Nino Ibanez.

Earlier, Bonleon, a former assistant coach of the team was promoted as the top bench tactician of the team.

Bonleon previously played for Davao Eagles in the defunct Metropolitan Basketball Association, a semi-professional regional basketball league. (Romeo Braceros Jr.)