MANILA, 27 March 2006 — All things come to an end - even the good ones.
Talk ‘N Text finally played true to form and halted the chug-chugging Coca-Cola freight train last night after Jimmy Alapag scored 13 of his 20 points in the third quarter of a 100-82 victory that ended the Tigers’ winning run in the PBA Philippine Cup at four games.
The 5-foot-7 spitfire orchestrated the Talk ‘N Text offense with efficiency and dropped crucial baskets when the situation called for them as the Phone Pals won for the second time in five games.
It was the first loss in five games for the Tigers, who missed equaling a franchise-best 5-0 start. They never really had a grip on the game, trailing early on and falling behind by formidable numbers with six Phone Pals scoring in twin digits.
Coke had looked invincible after three weeks of the tournament, and it took a Talk ‘N Text side that took the Araneta Coliseum floor in its elements to put a stop to that four-game winning streak.
More importantly, the win restored the confidence of the Phone Pals, who lost their first two games, won a first outing in Hong Kong, before taking a bad beating last week. No one from Coca-Cola dominated offensively last night, with Ali Peek’s 15 points turning out to be the best in the team.
Harvey Carey scored 17 points, rookie Mac Cardona added 13 and Vergel Meneses, recalled from retirement by old friend and coach Derrick Pumaren, scattered 10 points like Asi Taulava.Purefoods, meanwhile, improved to 3-2 earlier after a 91-73 victory over the on-and-off Alaska Aces. Marc Pingris, who has gotten the minutes following a season-ending knee injury to promising rookie Jondan Salvador, scored all of his 15 points in the firs
