MANILA- Davao Occidental came alive in the third quarter to overcome a slow start before holding off Roxas for a 63-59 win in the inaugural game of the Pilipinas Super League (PSL) on Friday night at the Dipolog City Sports Center. The Tigers found themselves in an early hole after the Vanguards raced to a 26-16 lead with 7:50 left in the first half. Davao Occidental, however, slowly crawled back and banked on a huge third-quarter run sparked by back-to-back baskets from Robby Celiz to go up, 54-43, late in the period. "Noong opening, sabi ni Commissioner Marc [Pingris], 'Puso!' So yun lang ang pinakita ko (During the opening ceremonies, Commissioner Marc said, 'Show heart!' So that's what I showed)," said Celiz, who finished with a double-double of 16 points and 10 rebounds with two assists, one steal, and three blocks. Roxas tried to climb back in the fourth quarter, but their comeback bid fell short. Eman Calo also had a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds, while Gab Dagangon also put up 12 points. Wowie Escosio made 12 points, nine rebounds, and one steal to lead Roxas. PHP2M at stake Meanwhile, the antes have been raised for the PSL's opening event, the Pearl of the Orient Cup. Pingris and PSL vice president Dinko Bautista announced during the opening ceremonies that the champion team of this conference will win PHP2 million. The second placer, on the other hand, will take home PHP1 million, while the third placer will receive PHP500,000. This should give the eight-team field added motivation to vie for the league's inaugural championship. PSL is the newest regional basketball league in the country. The scores: Davao Occidental 63-Celiz 16, Dagangon 12, Calo 12, Palencia 8, Wilson 4, Rodriguez 4, Balagtas 4, Grimaldo 2, Lalata 1, Custodio 0, Santos 0, Anib 0 Roxas 59-Escosio 12, Dela Cruz 10, Mabigat 8, Valin 6, De Guzman 5, Bonleon 4, Arellano 4, Segura 4, Serrano 2, Delfinado 2, Templo 0, Nacpil 0, Vesagas 0 Quarterscores: 16-21, 34-35, 54-48, 63-59 (PNA) }

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Davao , Davao City , Philippines , Zanib , Camarines Sur , Dipolog City , Dipolog , Dinko Bautista , Gab Dagangon , Robby Celiz , Wowie Escosio , Eman Calo , Dela Cruz , Dipolog City Sports Center , Pilipinas Super League , Dipolog City Sports , Commissioner Marc , Manila Davao Occidental Came Alive In The Third Quarter To Overcomea Slow Start Before Holding Off Roxas Fora 63 59 Win Inaugural Game Of Pilipinas Super League Psl On Friday Night At Dipolog City Sports Center Tigers Found Themselves An Early Hole After Vanguards Raced Toa 26 16 Lead With 7 50 Left First Half , Owever , Lowly Crawled Back And Banked Ona Huge Third Quarter Run Sparked By To Baskets From Robby Celiz Go Up , 44 43 , Ate In The Period Quot Noong Opening , Abi Ni Commissioner Marc Pingris , 9 Puso 39 So Yun Lang Ang Pinakita Ko During The Opening Ceremonies , Ommissioner Marc Said , 9 Show Heart 39 So That 39s Whati Showed , Uot Said Celiz , Ho Finished Witha Double Of 16 Points And 10 Rebounds With Two Assists , Ne Steal , Nd Three Blocks Roxas Tried To Climb Back In The Fourth Quarter , Ut Their Comeback Bid Fell Short Eman Calo Also Hada Double With 12 Points And 10 Rebounds , Hile Gab Dagangon Also Put Up 12 Points Wowie Escosio Made , Nine Rebounds , Nd One Steal To Lead Roxas Php2m At Stake Meanwhile , He Antes Have Been Raised For The Psl 39s Opening Event , He Pearl Of The Orient Cup Pingris And Psl Vice President Dinko Bautista Announced During Opening Ceremonies That Champion Team This Conference Will Win Php2 Million Second Placer , N The Other Hand , Ill Take Home Php1 Million , Hile The Third Placer Will Receive Php500 , 000 This Should Give The Eight Team Field Added Motivation To Vie For League 39s Inaugural Championship Psl Is Newest Regional Basketball In Country Scores Davao Occidental 63 Celiz 16 , Agangon 12 , Alo 12 , Alencia 8 , Ilson 4 , Odriguez 4 , Alagtas 4 , Rimaldo 2 , Alata 1 , Ustodio 0 , Antos 0 , Nib 0 Roxas 59 Escosio 12 , Ela Cruz 10 , Abigat 8 , Alin 6 , E Guzman 5 , Onleon 4 , Rellano 4 , Egura 4 , Errano 2 , Elfinado 2 , Emplo 0 , Acpil 0 , Esagas 0 Quarterscores 16 21 , 104 35 , 24 48 , 3 59 Pna ,