Tigers send Pals singing the blues

Tigers send Pals singing the blues

By: Zean Macamay

THE Talk ‘N Text Phone Pals came prepared for Asi Taulava. They all forgot about their other discard. Mark Telan punctuated a 22-point performance with a key follow-up, Ronjay Buenafe scored six of Coca-Cola’s last eight points, and Taulava finally completed his revenge over the team that traded him as the Tigers eliminated the Phone Pals 81-73 last night in their do-or-die wild card game at the Cuneta Astrodome. “Going into this game, me and Asi really wanted to kill Talk ‘N Text,” said Telan, himself a former Phone Pal and part of the Talk ‘N Text squad that won the 2003 Philippine Cup. Telan shot 10-of-15 from the field and also pulled down nine rebounds in 32 minutes, and saved his biggest shot for last, coming through with a putback in the last 1:42 after a miss by Ricky Calimag to push the Tigers up 79-73. It was the perfect shot to complement what Buenafe started. The rookie came away with four straight points after the Phone Pals came to within 71-73, and then rounded out scoring with a beauty of a lay-up in the final 46.3 seconds. “What can I say?,” said Coca-Cola coach Binky Favis. “Mark really played big, we played good defense and everybody just contributed.” Only one more win now stands in the way in Coca-Cola’s drive to advance to the quarterfinals, and the Tigers will either meet defending champion Ginebra or Air21. The two ball clubs were playing as of press time. Taulava finished with only 13 points but collared 16 rebounds. After the game, he asked for forgiveness for the strong remarks he hurled against his former team of eight years when Coca-Cola upset Talk ‘N Text 101-85 in a match where it has nothing to gain. “I’m sorry about the words the last time,” said Taulava. “I wish Talk ‘N Text and all of their players the luck. Nothing personal, but I’m just happy that we’re still in the playoffs.” The Tigers’ defense said it all. The Phone Pals were held to their lowest output in the conference simply because of their horrible field-goal shooting. Talk ‘N Text only managed to convert 24 of its 70 attempts for a poor 34.3 clip, with Coca-Cola doing not much better with their 38 percent, making only 30 of 79 tries. Coca-Cola never allowed Talk ‘N Text to snatch a lead or even tie the game, and it led biggest at 11 points when Telan drained his only triple for the night that gave the Tigers a 57-46 lead at the 5:20 marl of the third period. Cabagnot, who had 20 points in the Tigers’ win over the Phone Pals last Wednesday, had two free throws as Coca-Cola appeared to have a lock on the game with a 73-65 lead with 5:46 left to play. But Ali Peek had back-to-back baskets, and Harvey Carey had a point-blank shot as Talk ‘N Text threatened for the final time 71-73. “I hope we make it through again on Sunday,” said Favis. “Asi couldn’t be happier.” Mac-Mac Cardona led the Phone Pals with 22 points but only shot 6-of-13 from the field and Peek added 14 points and seven rebounds. The scores: Coca-Cola (81) – Telan 22, Taulava 13, Enrile 8, Arigo 7, Buenafe 6, Isip 6, Cabagnot 5, Dimaunahan 5, Tolomia 4, Calimag 3, Misolas 2. Talk ‘N Text (73) – Cardona 22, Peek 14, Washington 8, Allado 7, Ritualo 6, Alapag 5, Carey 4, Belano 4, De Ocampo 3, Aljamal 0. Quarterscores: 23-15; 38-37; 64-57; 81-73. Source: http://www.journal.com.ph/index.php?issue=2008-01-19&sec=7&aid=46447