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MPBL: Davao Occidental hero Mark Yee wasn't thinking of payback vs. San Juan

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ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2021/tvpatrol/03/18/mark-yee.jpg"/><figcaption>Mark Yee was the Finals MVP after Davao Occidental&#x27;s triumph over San Juan. <em>Photo courtesy of Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas.</em></figcaption></figure></div><p>MANILA, Philippines -- Mark Yee was the hero for Davao Occidental in Game 4 of the MPBL Lakan Cup finals on Sunday, making the big plays down the stretch against San Juan-Go for Gold.</p><p>The 39-year-old veteran gave Davao Occidental the lead for good, 89-88, when he buried a three-pointer from the left wing over the outstretched arms of San Juan&#x27;s Jeff Tajonera with just 13.4 seconds left.</p><p>In the final possession of the game, the reigning Chooks-to-Go MPBL Defensive Player of the Year showed why he deserved the accolade, as he swatted away the layup attempt by San Juan&#x27;s Jhonard Clarito.</p><p>The ball bounced off the San Juan guard&#x27;s knee, allowing the Tigers to run out the clock and secure the national championship in overtime.</p><p>&quot;Nagbunga lahat ng paghihirap ko, kumbaga ito &#x27;yung reward na ibinigay sa akin ng Panginoon,&quot; said Yee, who finished with 19 points, 12 rebounds, three assists, and three blocks in the clincher.</p><p>He emerged as the Finals MVP of the series after averaging 13.5 points, 10.25 rebounds, 2.75 assists, 1.5 steals, and 1.0 blocks in four games against San Juan.</p><p>It was sweet revenge for Davao Occidental against the Knights, as they had lost to San Juan last season in heartbreaking fashion. San Juan seized an 87-86 win over the Tigers in Game 5 of the Datu Cup finals, at Davao Occidental&#x27;s home court.</p><p>But Yee stressed that their victory in the Lakan Cup was not about payback.</p><p>&quot;Hindi naman siguro bawi,&quot; he insisted. &quot;Sa amin naging gutom lang kami saka naging humble kami lagi kasi nga hindi naman talaga namin intensyon kung sino ang makalaban namin.&quot;</p><p>&quot;Focus lang kami basta ang goal namin na kunin itong championship na ito,&quot; he stressed.</p><p>Yee also gave full credit to his teammates and coaches upon receiving the Finals MVP award.</p><p>&quot;Lagi kong sinasabi na itong championship at Finals MVP, biyaya ito galing sa Panginoon saka siguro &#x27;yung sakripisyo ko rin sa team na ito kaya binabalik ko rin &#x27;yung papuri sa Kanya,&quot; he said.</p><p>But for Davao Occidental coach Don Dulay, it was high time that Yee was rewarded for all that he did for the franchise.</p><p>&quot;He deserves all the praise. If you&#x27;ve been with us since day one, he&#x27;s been a leader. He&#x27;s always to be the first in practice, he works so hard. He shows everybody what it takes to be on that level,&quot; said Dulay. &quot;He deserves it. All that hard work finally paid off.&quot;</p><div><strong>FROM THE ARCHIVES:</strong></div><figure class="op-interactive"><iframe allow="autoplay; fullscreen" frameBorder="0" height="100%" id="ivsplayer01" scrolling="no" src="https://player.ivideosmart.com/ivsplayer/v4/dist/html/iframe-src.html?iframeid=ivsplayer01&amp;key=e8c22c015ca9eafa76f1e3edfa03c603&amp;spid=3001339&amp;vid=1644979" width="100%"></iframe></figure><div class="iwantbar">Watch more in <a href="//www.iwantv.com.ph/">iWantv</a> or <a href="//tfc.tv/">TFC.tv</a></div>

<p>Mark Yee was the hero for Davao Occidental in Game 4 of the MPBL Lakan Cup Finals on Sunday, making the big plays down the stretch against San Juan-Go for Gold.</p>

Mark Yee was the hero for Davao Occidental in Game 4 of the MPBL Lakan Cup Finals on Sunday, making the big plays down the stretch against San Juan-Go for Gold.