MANILA, 26 March 2006 — Forget that Ren-Ren Ritualo is less than 100 percent physically.
A hurting left foot still couldn’t dent a confidence level that goes way beyond that.
The Air21 gunslinger took a long time in warming up and Barangay Ginebra never had a chance when he finally did as the Express forced the Gin Kings into a third straight tumble in the PBA Philippine Cup following a 109-98 decision Friday night.
Ritualo hit 14 of his 17 points in the final 12 minutes built around four conversions from beyond trifectaville as the Express recovered from a listless third period to move out of the cellar with their second win in five starts.
Ginebra lost for the third straight time after being held to the minimum in the crucial minutes of the payoff period. The Kings went down to 2-3, just a win up on joint tail-enders Sta. Lucia and the Talk ‘N Text Phone Pals.
Alaska won for the second straight time and Talk ‘N Text remained winless in the country after the Aces eked out an 86-79 decision over the Phone Pals earlier.
Nic Belasco scored 26 points, grabbed 10 rebounds and had the last of his two blocks on hulking Asi Taulava as Alaska improved to 3-2 overall.
Talk ‘N Text, after winning for the first time in the tournament when the league played its first official game in Hong Kong last Sunday, dropped to 1-4 and the Phone Pals seem to still be struggling to adapt to the defense-oriented system of new coach Derrick Pumaren.
“It’s easier to take over a team and continuing the system than introducing a different approach,” Tim Cone of Alaska said, referring to how Pumaren is trying to re-structure the Phone Pals after taking over the resigned Joel Banal in the off-season.
The Phone Pals went scoreless in the final four minutes and Mike Cortez hit two crucial triples entering the final two minutes that broke Talk ‘N Text’s back.
“We’ve faced many times in the past and it has always been a defensive battle,” Cone added. “But give Derrick some time and he will make Talk ‘N Text a truly formidable team.”
Cortez finished with 20 points for Cone, while Tony dela Cruz scattered 17 markers and Don Allado collared 14 rebounds and had nine points.
John Ferriols, the player whom the Phone Pals got in exchange for Telan, led the Talk ‘N Text with 16 points, while Asi Taulava was good for only 11 points after being effectively shackled by the clamping Alaska defense all night.
The total of Ritualo actually was made up of five triples and two free throws, never mind if he hobbled early in the first and that he was not called upon to start because of that injury suffered in a loss to Alaska last week.
