OFFICIAL PBA THREAD

PUREFOODS SURVIVES WELCOATS GIANT-KILLING WAYS
League MVP James Yap bails Giants in endgame
Sunday, 12 November 2006

Purefoods Chunkee coach Ryan Gregorio watched helplessly as his Giants struggled offensively in the closing minutes of the fourth quarter which almost got them into the list of the Welcoat Dragons unsuspecting victims.

The good thing is the defending champions have been through tough situations many times before and their experience made the difference in the game that see-sawed in the final two minutes.

James Yap scored 23 points including four free throws in the last 50 seconds, sealing the Giants 86-84 victory over the upset conscious Dragons Sunday night before a record crowd of 17,319 at the Araneta Coliseum.

It was a tough game and it all boiled down to maturity and Im glad my players passed the test with flying colors, said Gregorio of their sixth win in 10 games which pushed them within reach of the leaders in the PBA-Talk N Text Philippine Cup.

We need games like that because it will determine how far can we go this conference, last seasons Coach of the Year added.

It was a disappointing loss for the Dragons, who picked up their sixth loss in 10 outings and fifth in their last six games.

Coach Leo Austrias boys trailed for most part but their determination kept them in the game and they almost came up with another stunner only to come up short because they couldnt make their free throws.

Nino Gelig scored 13 of his career-high 22 points in the fourth quarter and his two free throws with 1:14 remaining put the Dragons ahead, 82-81.

After Kerby Raymundo tied the count at 82 with, Jay-R Reyes, Welcoats rookie center, scored on a pass by Jojo Tangkay to make it a two-point game with 57 seconds to go.

James Yap, who went 7-for-7 from the stripe, tied it with two free throws on Purefoods next offensive then put the Giants ahead with two more free throws after Gelig missed two of his own earlier that could have allowed the Dragons to retake the lead.

Raymundo scored 17 points, Roger Yap had 14 and Peter Simon added 11 for the Purefoods which shot 50 percent from the field and went 22-of-32 from the stripes.

Tangkay, who had another standout performance, turned in 20 points and five assists for the Dragons, who shot just 48 percent from the field and missed 11 of 26 free throws, including four straight in the final 28 seconds.

Welcoats hope was dashed when rookie guard Froilan Baguion also missed two freebies that could have tied the count with 3.8 seconds remaining.

We just made our free throws and they didnt. Its kind of an ugly win but well take wins like this anytime, Gregorio said.

The scores:

Purefoods 86 Yap J. 23, Raymundo 17, Yap R. 14, Simon 11, Yee 7, Limpot 5, Artadi 4, Evangelista 4, Pingris 1, Castillo 0.

Welcoat 84 Gelig 22, Tangkay 20, Mente 9, Cabatu 8, Lopez 8, Sta. Maria 7, Reyes 6, Lao 2, Wainwright 2, Baguion 0.

Quarterscores: 21-16, 42-35, 64-56, 86-84.
 
TALK N TEXT WAKES UP, BLASTS GINEBRA
Career-high 30 for Cardona as Pals check skid, going 6-for-7 from the field in the opening quarter for 15 points that helped propel the Phone Pals to a 31-18 advantage at the end of the period.

His effort provided inspiration to his teammates particularly to Jimmy Alapag , Harvey Carey and Asi Taulava, who asserted their game in the second half.

"After that embarrassing loss to Welcoat, I told the guys we need an all out effort coming into this game and they showed it," said TNT coach Derrick Pumaren, admitting he had ran out of words to say as the losses kept piling up.

"As long as we do the things that we have to do, well be fine. As long as we keep working hard and thinking team, good things will happen. I really hope we could keep on."

The victory, just the fifth in 10 games for the Phone Pals, somehow made up for their disappointing 72-79 defeat against the Dragons in Tubod, Lanao del Norte and snapped a four-game losing streak.

Cardona wound up with a career-high 30 points on 12-of-15 shooting and his three-pointer with 4:34 remaining in the third period gave the Phone Pals the biggest lead of the game, 83-56.

Jimmy Alapag tallied 19 points and six assists while Carey and Taulava chalked up double-double efforts. Carey finished with 18 points and 11 rebounds and Taulava had 10 points and as many rebounds.

The Kings, who fell to 6-4, hardly provided the highly-energized Phone Pals a challenge because nobody stepped up and delivered except for Eric Menk.

TNT shot 56 percent from the floor in the first half and enjoyed a 59-43 advantage going into the third quarter.

The Kings made just 34 percent of the shots in the opening half and things turned for the worse in the third period as the Phone Pals, who continued hitting their targets from all angles, stretched the lead to 90-64 at the end of the quarter. Ginebra never recovered from there.

Menk led the way for the Kings with 29 points and 10 rebounds. Mark Caguioa, who couldn't get his rhythm, recorded 21 points but went flat in the fourth quarter.

The scores:

Talk N Text 113 Cardona 30, Alapag 19, Carey 18, Ritualo 11, Taulava 10, Washington 7, Pablo 7, Allado 6, Belano 5.

Ginebra 98 Menk 29, Caguioa 21, Hatfield 14, Tubid 8, Helterbrand 8, Holper 6, Salvacion 5, Abarrientos 4, Macapagal 2, Mamaril 1, Reavis 0, Seigle 0.

Quarters: 31-18, 59-43, 90-64, 113-98.
 
RADYO PBA ON THE NET A HIT AMONG OVERSEAS PINOYS
Another milestone in rich PBA history Eala
Monday, 13 November 2006

FROM print to broadcast, and now the Net.
In yet another novel measure, PBA games can now be accessed live through the internet by logging on to www.pba.ph.

The radio streaming had its trial run last November 3 featuring the Purefoods against San Miguel and Coca-Cola vs. Air21 doubleheader.

The league's broadband coverage is made possible through the PBA's partnership with Mozcom, the Official PBA Website host and the leagues official internet provider, in an effort to provide Filipinos all over the world the chance to follow the latest happenings in Asia's first ever play-for-pay league.

"This marks another milestone in the rich history of the PBA. It would surely help us spawn the popularity of the league not only in Asia but all over the world," said commissioner Noli Eala.

Two weeks since its launching, the live radio streaming of the 2006-07 Talk N Text PBA Philippine Cup games has already been getting positive responses and feedbacks from countless PBA fans around the globe.

One interesting follower is no less than the wife of the Philippine Consul in Brunei, who personally texted PBA media bureau chief Willie Marcial and thanked the league for putting Radyo PBA on the internet.

Shortly after the Purefoods-Welcoat game last Sunday, an email sender also from overseas wrote the PBA just to say they regularly listen to the radio coverage on www.pba.ph and her son burst into tears in the closing minutes of the Giants-Dragon encounter. The kid, apparently a Purefoods fan, thought his team was about to lose.

"We're definitely flattered by her gesture. Rest assured that we'll be doing everything to ensure that the PBA coverage on the net will be just as clear and appealing as the live games themselves," added Eala
 
Radio... :smokin
smokin.gif
 
SLR SURVIVES FURIOUS ENDGAME RALLY BY COKE
Omolon sparkles in 4th, Williams registers 6th double-double.

The Realtors also got huge contribution from guard Alex Cabagnot, who had 16 points and five assists and veterans Marlou Aquino and Kenneth Duremdes, who had 12 points apiece.

Coca-Cola shot a terrible 25 percent shooting in the first half but improved to 61 percent in the third, enabling the Tigers to outscore the Realtors, 34-14 to pull within 64-70 at the end of the period.

John Arigo showed the way for Coke with 25 points and rookie Joseph Yeo scored 18 of his career-high 20 points in the second half including a three-point play with 8:12 remaining that shoved the Tigers threateningly close at 76-78.

But Cabagnot quickly scored on Sta. Lucias next possession and after Coca-Cola center Ali Peek missed on his attempt, Omolon completed a three point-play before Williams and Duremdes added a basket each to stretch the lead to a more comfortable 87-76.

It was the third straight loss for the Tigers and seventh in 10 games overall.

The Realtors shot 52 percent in the first half and with their stifling defense holding the Tigers to 11-of-43 shooting, Sta. Lucia ripped the game apart early.

Williams, Sta. Lucias scoring leader and rebounder, made his presence felt early scoring 19 points including a three-pointer in the first half as the Realtors took control early and led by as many as 29 points (56-47) late in the second quarter.

The scores:

Sta. Lucia 106 Williams 23, Omolon 18, Cabagnot 16, Duremdes 12, Aquino 12, Isip 7, Espino 7, Mendoza 5, Calimag 2, Gonzales 2, Bughao 0, Catli 0.

Coca-Cola 91 Arigo 25, Yeo 20, Peek 11, Miranda 9, Misolas 9, Salangsang 7, Pacana 6, Ramos 2, Antonio 2, Enrile 0.

Quarterscores: 29-13, 56-30, 70-64, 106-91.
 
DOUBLE CELEBRATION FOR CAPTAIN HOOK
Player of the Week November 6-12


With his team on a four-game losing streak and with his birthday coming up, Mark Cardona decided it was time to take matters into his own hands.

The Talk N Text sophomore fired a career-high 30 points on the eve of his 25th birthday against the leagues leading scorer to lead the Phone Pals to an emphatic 113-98 win over the Barangay Ginebra Kings last Sunday.

Nagtatalo na kasi eh kaya talagang may sense of urgency na kaming lahat at hindi lang ako, said Cardona, who was only averaging 12.1 points prior to the game.

The Phone Pals had their guns blazing right from the opening quarter where they erected a 31-18 advantage and never looked back. Setting the tone for the carnage was Cardona who had 15 of his points in that blazing period.

The former DLSU hotshot, who went two-of-two from beyond the three-point arc and 12 of 15 from the field, also finished with two rebounds, an assist, a steal and a shotblock in just 28 minutes of play, outdueling tukayo Mark Caguioa of Barangay Ginebra, the conferences leading scorer who was held scoreless in the fourth period and finished with only 21.

For his efforts, Cardona was named Accel Player of the Week by the PBA Press Corps for the period November 6 to 12.

Prior to the victory, the Phone Pals went on a slump losing their last four matches including a heart-breaking 79-72 decision inflicted by league newcomer Welcoat Paints in their out-of-town tiff in Tubod, Lanao del Norte last Thursday. With the resounding win over the Kings, the Phone Pals improved to 5-5, still a far sixth in the team standings of the Talk N Text-PBA Philippine Cup but should be enough to boost the morale of TNT since it came at the expense of the powerhouse Kings.

Cardona, who his often called Captain Hook for his semi-hook shots, skipped his final season with the Green Archers in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines to turn pro last year. He was drafted on the first round by Air 21 but was dealt to Talk N Text along with No. 1 pick Anthony Washington.
 
:smh:
smh.gif
ginebra is verrry disappointing right now...hahaha those posts are making me even more depressed, wut the hell, theyre roster is loaded...yet they cant even dominate, >:
mad.gif
 
RED BULL ROUTS COKE BY 28
Pennisi leads 6 players in double figures for Barakosed to warm up and sparked a blistering 30-8 run that propelled Red Bull to 72-49 advantage going into the fourth quarter.

The scores:

Red Bull 95 Pennisi 16, Baguio 13, Fonacier 11, Valenzuela 11, Najorda 10, Villanueva 10, Robinson 8, Alvarez 7, Sharma 4, Bugia 3, Ybanez 2, Cruz 0.

Coca-Cola 67 Yeo 12, Antonio 10, Peek 9, Miranda 8, Arigo 7, Misolas 5, Gavino 4, Pacana 4, Enrile 4, Raneses 2, Ramos 2.

Quarterscores: 20-17, 39-34, 72-49, 95-67
 
TNT DOWNS SMB AS BIG MEN GO TO WORK
Taulava anchors Phone Pals march to joint 5th
Sunday, 19 November 2006

Hours after Manny Pacquiao displayed his great ring savvy in faraway Las Vegas, the Talk N Text Phone Pals and the San Miguel Beermen came out like gladiators in a fierce battle at the Araneta Coliseum.

The Pals got the better end of the deal, scoring a 90-84 decision that forced a standoff between them and the Beermen at fifth place in the 2006-07 Talk N Text PBA Philippine Cup Sunday night.

Both set out for the game with the fighting heart of a Pacquiao but the Pals proved to be craftier and more clever, hacking out a second straight win and their sixth in 11 games overall.

Jimmy Alapag delivered the Sunday punch with a trey, making it 90-84 with time down to 5.5 seconds.

"The whole country is celebrating with Manny Pacquiao's victory. The boys, too, are inspired by his victory," said Talk N Text coach Derrick Pumaren.

"It's big win for us because the playoffs are now just around the corner and we're still struggling in the middle of the chart," Pumaren added.

Asi Taulava, Anthony Washington and Don Allado logged big numbers to lead the Pals past the Beermen, who put in a big fight despite the continued absence of injured ace forward Danny Seigle.

The Beermen, however, gave the Pals decisive headway as they went scoreless in a five-minute stretch entering the last two minutes.

The Pals used a 13-5 run to seize the lead for good at 85-79.

Utilized towards the end of the second quarter, Lordy Tugade went 1-of-1 from three-point land, 2-of-2 from the two-point zone and also 2-of-2 from the stripe, and the Beermen came charging back to trail by one, 44-45, at the turn.

Tugade, San Miguel's acquisition along with Romel Adducul in a three-way trade deal with Red Bull and Ginebra, was that productive in just three minutes of action.

But the Phone Pals shot better as a team compared to the Beermen as they dictated the tempo much of the way in the opening half. The Pals converted 46.3 percent of their shots while the Beermen hit at a 43.6 percent clip.

Taulava led all scorers with 12 in the first 24 minutes of play with 4-of-6 shooting from the field and 4-of-4 marksmanship from the free throw line.

It remained a one-point game with San Miguel moving on top, 72-71, after the third period as Dondon Hontiveros spearheaded the Beermen's bid while Washington starred for the Pals.

The scores:

Talk N Text 90 Taulava 26, Washington 15, Allado 11, Ritualo 9, Cardona 8, Carey 6, Alapag 6, Belano 5, Pablo 4.

San Miguel 84 Hontiveros 14, Pena 12, Racela 10, Calaguio 10, Tugade 9, Ildefonso 9,Adducul 7, Tenorio 6, Wilson 6, Espinas 1,Gonzales 0.

Quarterscores: 18-17, 45-44, 71-72, 90-84.
 
In addition to Carlo's post about Red Bull versus Coke.

Bulls thump Tigers; Yeo, Rico at it again
By Nelson Beltran
The Philippine Star 11/20/2006

If it were a boxing match, coach Binky Favis could have thrown in the towel to avoid severe punishment and embarrassment for the Coca-Cola Tigers.

In the aftermath of Manny Pacquuiaos big win in Las Vegas, Red Bull came out with lopsided win of its own, clobbering Coca-Cola, 95-67, in the Talk n Text PBA Philippine Cup at the Araneta Coliseum last night.

But the match did lead to a brawl afterwards as old foes Enrico Villanueva and Joseph Yeo mixed it up outside the South Gate after the game. Mike Gavino sustained a deep cut in his left eyebrow, absorbing a wild punch while trying to separate the protagonists.

"Without prejudging the incident, its regrettable and I think this is a conduct unbecoming of a professional. Well not tolerate this," said PBA commissioner Noli Eala of the Villanueva-Yeo fracas.

[size=+2]

sapatos yan, hindi trophy
[size=+1](Team Back Spasms)[/size]

[/size]
​
 
Rico, Yeo face stiff sanction for brawl
By Nelson Beltran
The Philippine Star 11/21/2006

With warnings having issued both players before by league officials, Enrico Villanueva and Joseph Yeo face severe sanction after figuring in another fight just outside the Araneta Coliseum South Gate after the Red Bull-Coke game Sunday.

The two players were summoned to appear at the PBA office today together with Coca-Cola rookie Mike Gavino who suffered a deep cut on his left eyebrow as he absorbed a blow in the fracas.

There were allegations Gavino, a former La Sallite like Yeo, aslo figured in the fight. But there were also reports that the 6-foot-5 freshman was hit while just trying to separate Villanueva and Yeo.

At presstime, PBA Commissioner Noli Eala was still gathering statements from witnesses and reports from the Araneta Coliseum Security Force. Apparently, there were security officers who witnessed the incident.

Villanueva, Yeo and Gavino were summoned at the PBA office at 10 a.m. today.

"Without prejudging the incident, I can say its regrettable and its a conduct unbecoming of a professional. We will not tolerate this," said Eala.

Villanueva and Yeo first clashed in a fight during the La Salle-Ateneo Dream Game last January.

It was rekindled during the Red Bull-Coke pre-season game at the Emilio Aguinaldo College Gym when Villanueva nudged Yeo hard on the shoulder at center court after the final buzzer. The Commissioners Office issued warning to both players after that incident.

Yeo reported the latest incident at the Camp Panopio Police Station. "It was just protection. Baka maulit pa uli ang away," said William Ong, Yeos agent-manager.

There were unconfirmed reports, though, that Yeo and Gavino were mulling to file a case against Villanueva for physical injuries.

Meanwhile, Mark Caguioa was named Accel-Talk n Text PBA Player of the Week for his sterling game leading Barangay Ginebra to a 123-117 win over Red Bull in Palawan Saturday.

Caguioa erupted for a season-high 32 points that went with eight assists in that contest.
 
Villanueva, Yeo talk things over, settle feud
By Nelson Beltran
The Philippine Star 11/22/2006

For 20 minutes inside a PBA room yesterday all the bad blood and animosity unravelled for Enrico Vllanueva and Joseph Yeo and they shook hands and settled their differences in a controversy that had become a pesky issue for PBA commissioner Noli Eala.

That running feud reached its lowest point Sunday when they mixed it up at Araneta Coliseum South Gate, hurting a fellow pro player who got in the way.

Villanueva and Yeo admitted to figuring in the brawl and were to face sanction.

Eala said he will not tolerate the two players misconduct but hes not yet ready to render a verdict since theyre still awaiting more testimonies from witnesses.

"They will not escape sanction but to me, more than the sanction, whats more important is to find the root cause and put an end to it," said Eala.

"Sanction will not solve the deeply-rooted issue between these two players. I was happy both responded positively and at the end, they both wanted to talk it over. I didnt tell them what to do but they agreed to put things in the past. They made a commitment to co-exist harmoniously in the PBA," Eala added.

Mike Gavino, Allan Salangsang and Manny Ramos also appeared in the PBA office to give testimonies.

After his meeting with Yeo, Villanueva apologized to Gavino who sustained a deep cut on his left eyebrow after absorbing a wild blow while trying to separate the protagonists.

Yeo, on the other hand, sustained bruises on the face and at the back.

Apparently, Sundays fight was sparked by a miscommunication as the two players chanced upon each other outside the Big Dome after their game.

Villanueva thought Yeo was looking for a fight as the Coca-Cola rookie told him, "Ano ang nginingiti-ngiti mo diyan? Tapusin na natin ito dito (What are you smiling at? Lets finish things here)." Yeo told Eala he had wanted to patch things up with Villanueva when he made the remark.

While still awaiting sanction, Villanueva will be able to play as Red Bull tangles with Purefoods in a crucial game in the Talk n Text PBA Philippine Cup at the Araneta Coliseum today. The two teams fight for solo second place behind the frontrunning Sta. Lucia team in their 7:20 p.m. tiff.

PBA NOTES: The Villanueva-Yeo quarrel started when Yeo, then a La Salle star player, bloodied the nose of the former Ateneo prized pivotman in a charity game between the rival schools at the Big Dome last year The two met anew in a pre-season tuneup and Rico gave Joseph a sharp nudge in the postgame ..Sundays brawl came a few hours after the Pacquiao-Morales showdown in La Vegas and so incensed Eala he ordered the two to report to his office the next day The media had a field day, prompting Peoples sports editor Joe Antonio to headline their story "Pacquiao, Morales summoned."

[size=+2]

sapatos yan, hindi trophy
[size=+1](Team Back Spasms)[/size]

[/size]
​
 
SMB CRUSHES PUREFOODS AS SEIGLE RETURNS WITH A BANG
Beermen move up to 4th, Giants down to 5th
Saturday, 25 November 2006

Things looked bright again for the San Miguel Beermen with ace gunner Danny Seigle back with normal eyesight.

Seigle returned with a bang from a bout with eye injury, and the Beermen dwarfed the Purefoods Chunkee Giants, 100-81, to move up to fourth place in the 2006-07 Talk N Text PBA Philippine Cup at the jampacked Olivarez College Gym in Paranaque Saturday.

The 6-foot-6 Fil-Am forward scored a game-high 24 points, including 12 straight in a telling 18-7 run San Miguel unleashed in the third period to cut loose from a tight contest.

The Beermen, who also drew significant numbers from Dorian Pena, Rommel Adducul, Lordy Tugade and Dondon Hontiveros, broke away from a 41-40 halftime edge en route to their seventh win in 12 outings.

Curiously, Seigle came up with the same output when the Beermen topped the Giants, 87-79, in their first meeting last November 3.

San Miguel swapped places with Purefoods as the Beermen improved to fourth place behind the Sta. Lucia Realtors (8-3), the Red Bull Barakos (8-4) and the Barangay Ginebra Kings (8-4). The Giants slid to fifth place at 7-6.

Seigles return spelled the big difference for the Beermen, who struck hard all over the floor in the final half.

They went 8-of-23 from three-point land compared to the Giants paltry 2-of-9 three-point shooting. San Miguel also lorded it over the boards with 53 rebounds against Purefoods 42.

Actually, the Beermen posted an early double-digit spread at 14-4 but the Giants picked up their game in the second period and closed in at 40-41 at halftime.

The count was still close at 46-42 before the Beermen worked on a vicious assault and erected a 15-point bulge at 64-49. Seigle scored 12 straight points on that attack capped by a slam courtesy of Hontiveros.

Seigle totaled 14 points in that quarter which ended at 71-58 for the Beermen.

San Miguel gained headway early on as the Beermen shot 50 percent from the field in the first quarter. The Giants, on the other hand, hit at a 33-percent clip.

While Seigle worked mostly from the outside, Pena took care of things at the paint and the gentle giant finished with 21 points. Adducul had his moments inside, making 11 points.

Rey Evangelista, Peter June Simon and Jun Limpot carried much of the fight for the Giants while reigning MVP James Yap struggled for only nine points.

The scores:

San Miguel 100 Seigle 24, Pena 21, Adducul 11, Tugade 9, Hontiveros 8, Ildefonso 7, Gonzales 6, Racela 5, Wilson 4, Tenorio 3, Calaguio 2, Espinas 0.

Purefoods 81 Evangelista 15, Simon 13, Limpot 13, Raymundo 11, Pingris 10, Yap J. 9, Artadi 4, Yap R. 2, Castillo 2, Camaso 2, Salvador 0, Yee 0.

Quarterscores: 23-15, 41-40, 71-58, 100-81.
 
wow..i knew it was him wearing that pair of white/navy bron 4..SMH at those players getting the shoe early...LOL :rofl:
roll.gif
 
ACES ON A ROLL, SHOOT DOWN RED BULL FOR 3RD STRAIGHT WIN
Ferriols, Belasco finish with double-doubles to lead Alaska on the way to a 105-94 victory over Red Bull Sunday night in the PBA-Talk N Text Philippine Cup at the Araneta Coliseum.

Ferriols came off the bench and tallied 17 points and 11 rebounds while Belasco had 16 and 12 as the Aces avenged their 93-99 loss to the Barakos in the season-opening game in Guam last September 28 to stretch their first win streak in the conference to three.

John really did great tonight and Nic was superb with his defense against (Mick) Pennisi. To beat a team like Red Bull gives you a special feeling, said Alaska coach Tim Cone.

We also got pretty good contribution all around and I think that was the key.

The Aces, who won the leagues first-ever preseason tournament but were off to a slow start in the conference, controlled the game from the start and had a double digit lead at 27-17 with three minutes left in the opening quarter on a basket by Ferriols.

All 10 players fielded in by Cone contributed at least two points as the Aces held off repeated rallies by the Barakos until the end.

Tony dela Cruz finished with 18 points on an 8-of-16 shooting to show the way for the Aces, who had four other players scoring in double figures.

With six minutes left in the game, Red Bull looked to have swung the momentum in its favor when Pennisi and Larry Fonacier knocked in successive threes which shoved the Barakos to within 82-88.

But the rally fell short as Willie Miller hit a short jumper and De la Cruz had four straight points to stretch Alaska lead into double digits again.

Fonacier scored 18 points and Pennisi added 15 including 5-for-7 from behind the 3-point arc for Red Bull which committed 19 turnovers, six more than the Aces.

Their fifth loss in 13 games stymied the Barakos aspiration to keep their stronghold of second place. They fell to third spot, trailing the Barangay Ginebra Kings (8-4), who are now at solo second place behind the frontrunning Sta. Lucia Realtors (9-3).

The scores:

Alaska 105 dela Cruz 18, Ferriols 17, Belasco 16, Miller 14, Cariaso 14, Singson 7, Thoss 6, Laure 6, Juinio 5, Aban 2.

Red Bull 94 Fonacier 18, Pennisi 15, Sharma 14, Valenzuela 13, Najorda 8, Bugia 7, Baguio 6, Villanueva 5, Cruz 4, Alvarez 2, Robinson 2, Ybanez 0.

Quarterscores: 36-22, 57-49, 79-68, 105-94.
 
RITUALO PROPELS TALK N TEXT PAST COKE
Phone Pals tie Giants at 5th it with this win, added Pumaren. After Coca-Cola, well face teams ahead of us in the standings, including Red Bull, Sta. Lucia, San Miguel and Ginebra.

Mark Cardona and Jay Washington provided the initial spark, then Renren Ritualo and Asi Taulava supplied the sustaining power as the Pals duplicated their 78-71 thrashing of the Tigers in their previous match last October 20.

With Cardona, Washington, Ritualo and Taulava taking turns in delivering the goods in the second half, the Pals overcame a lethargic first half and again got some relief with only their third win in their last eight games.

Meanwhile, the Tigers woes continued as they absorbed their 10th loss against three wins.

Its a crucial win because it keeps us within reach of the No. 2 spot. At least, were still in control of our destiny, said Pumaren.

Pumaren made special mention of Ritualo, who paced the team with a 24-point output spiked by three treys in a key run in the final period. Im glad Renren found his range again. Renren shooting the three-pointers opened up Cokes interior defense for Asi, Don (Allado) and Harvey (Carey), said Pumaren.

The Pals were tough to stop in the contest with Taulava, Allado, Cardona, Washington and Jimmy Alapag contributing double-digit outputs.

Taulava had a double-double job with 14 points and 10 rebounds in his finest game in the last couple of weeks.

Banking on better field-goal shooting, the Tigers enjoyed a 47-44 edge at halftime.

Joseph Yeo went 2-of-5 from the three-point area and 2-of-3 from the two-point zone for 10 points and the entire team converted 50 percent of their shots to make up for their 12 turnovers in the first 24 minutes of play.

The Phone Pals limited themselves to just six errors but shot only 40 percent from the field.

The Tigers outscored the Pals, 24-19, in the second period to surge ahead from 23-25 down after the opening quarter.

The scores:

Talk N Text 100 Ritualo 24, Taulava 14, Allado 14, Cardona 11, Washington 10, Alapag 10,Carey 8, Belano 5, Andaya 2, Pablo 2, Fran 0.

Coca-Cola 86 Yeo 15, Arigo 15, Miranda 13, Pacana 12,Peek 12, Salangsang 5,Misolas 5, Antonio 5, Gavino 2,Enrile 2, Ramos 0.

Quarterscores: 25-23, 44-47, 71-62,100-86.
 
PHONE PALS STILL EYEING SHORTCUT TO FINAL 4
Route, however, laden with big stumbling blocksing to build up and climb back up again. But the good thing about it is that we still control our destiny," said Pumaren after their 100-86 victory over the Coca-Cola Tigers Sunday.

"I'm happy with the way we bounced back. This is a good way to start our last five games," Pumaren said.

The Phone Pals' remaining assignments though are no picnic. In the way of their aspirations to earn outright passage to the semis are Air 21 and the top four teams Sta. Lucia, Barangay Ginebra, Red Bull and San Miguel.

What makes Sunday's victory more satisfying for Pumaren is that Renren Ritualo and Asi Taulava are finally rediscovering their game.

The two stars practically disappeared the past few games but were a sight to behold on Sunday.

Ritualo scored 24 points on 9-of-17 shooting to lead five other Phone Pals in double figures while Taulava contributed 14 points and 10 rebounds as TNT improved to 7-6.

The Phone Pals share fifth place with the defending champion Purefoods Chunkee Giants, half a game behind fourth placer San Miguel Beermen (7-5).

After a four-day break, Pumaren is keeping his fingers crossed that his troops will be able to sustain the momentum and get a win on the road when they battle the Red Bull Barakos on Thursday in Tacloban City.

The Barakos slipped to third place at 8-5 after absorbing a 94-105 defeat at the hands of the Alaska Aces also Sunday.

"Definitely it will be tough playing Red Bull. I know they will be raging. But we'll be ready," Pumaren said.
 
TEAM STANDINGS
Eliminations

Sta. Lucia Realtors 9-3
Brgy. Ginebra Kings 8-4
Red Bull Barako 8-5
San Miguel Beermen 7-5
Talk N Text Phone Pals 7-6
Purefoods TJ Hotdogs 7-6
Air21 Express 5-7
Alaska Aces 5-7
Welcoat Dragons 3-9
Coca-Cola Tigers 3-10
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

The ultimate sneaker enthusiast community.

NikeTalk was created as a way of giving back to both the sneaker enthusiast community and to the greater global community of which we are all a part.

NikeTalk is NOT affiliated with Nike Inc. in any way, shape, or form. All opinions expressed herein do not necessarily reflect those of Nike, Inc.

© 1999-2024 NikeTalk.com

Share this page

Back
Top Bottom