MANILA, 2 July 2003 — Talk ‘N’ Text held Alaska to just two field goals in overtime to fashion a 92-88 win at the Araneta Coliseum and grab a finals seat in the Samsung PBA All-Fillipino Cup.
The Phone Pals arranged a best-of-seven title duel with early finalist and defending champions Coca-Cola after sealing a 3-2 semifinals victory over the Aces.
It is the second finals stint in the last three conferences for the Pangilinan franchise and third overall since taking over the erstwhile Pepsi team starting in the 1996 Commissioner’s Cup and brought about by a stingy defense that allowed Alaska only five points in the extension.
Jimmy Alapag split his charities to put the Phone Pals on top 90-88 with 24 seconds to go in the game. Alaska then missed three attempts — one by John Arigo and two by Don Allado — at the basket, as the Phone Pals advanced to the finals against the Tigers. Bong Ravena finalized the count on a fastbreak layup at the buzzer. Alapag finished with 21 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists. It was just par for the night for point guard who had been orchestrating the Phone Pals’ offense in their march to the finals.
Alapag had been trying to make the PBA for two years and had to make the rounds of PBA teams. Rejected, he went back home and tried again this year. Finances were low and in many instances he had to rely on the kindness of fellow Fil-Am players to get by.
Asi Taulava made his 20th double-double; a PBA record in a single conference with 27 points and 11 rebounds. It will be the first-ever finals appearance for the Fil-Tongan.
Taulava tied the count at 83-all after converting two free throws but Alaska had a chance to win the game in regulation period. The Aces used up the time and Mike Cortez missed his last second attempt to preserve the deadlock. The Phone Pals opened the payoff fourth period with a full charge making a 14-0 run to start the quarter to wipe out a 57-67 deficit and climb on top 69-67. Alapag started the fourth with back-to-back triples, and a layup; while teammate Harvey Carey was equally hot with three straight field goals as the Phone Pals made their run. Taulava bulldozed his way inside for a twinner to push the Phone Pals to within 2 points of the Alaska lead, 50-48, early in the third period. But the Aces scored 9 unanswered points behind two baskets by Ali Peek; a layup by Brandon Cablay, and a three-pointer by Mike Cortez to pad their lead to 11 points, 59-48.
