MANILA, 11 August 2003 — The merciless Coca-Cola Tigers leaned on Jeffrey Cariaso, Rudy Hatfield and Rob Wainwright in the second period to tear up the Magnolia-Jilin Tigers, 98-63, on Saturday night at the Cuneta Astrodome.
“We needed that kind of a win because we haven’t had any decent practices because of the storm that passed. The court is always slippery,” said Coca-Cola coach Chot Reyes.
The Tigers, the local ones at least, got the workout they needed when they went on a searing second quarter run that stretched a 13-point lead to 63-34 at the break.
From thereon, it became a scrimmage for Coca-Cola, which is eyeing a semifinal stint with a win over the Cebuana Lhuiller-RP Team Wednesday.
In the first game, FedEx claimed its first semifinal stint in franchise history by pouncing on a Talk ‘N’ Text squad that was scorching off the court but cold on it for the first two quarters and fashioning out a 91-81 win over the Phone Pals.
Asi Taulava was visibly affected by the recent Senate report as he started slow against an aggressive FedEx defense and scored just three points in the first half, where the Express zoomed to leads of as many as 21 and a 49-38 half-time lead.
The Express blew a 41-20 second quarter lead but drew outstanding performances from their second stringers down the stretch to score the win.
Taulava wound up with 11 points, 17 rebounds and eight assists in the game as the Phone Pals virtually got knocked out of the semifinal running. Talk ‘N’ Text needs to beat Red Bull by eight points to advance to the semis.
Whatever happens in that match, FedEx has already nailed its first franchise semifinal stint.
The Tigers need to win against tomorrow to assure themselves of a semifinal slot. Alaska and San Miguel will dispute the other slot.
Meanwhile, Talk ‘N’ Text team manager Frankie Lim took jabs at Alaska‚s team owner Fred Uytengsu, saying the statement issued by the Alaska owner “is laughable” coming from an “American guy.”
Last Friday, Uytengsu said it would be embarrassing if one team wins a championship and then it would be found that one of its players is a “Fil-Sham.”
“You could be the best player in the league or the MVP, it doesn’t matter.
Rules are rules and they should be followed,” Uytengsu added.
For his part, Ricky Vargas, Talk N Text’s representative to the PBA board, said their organization is not about to make any such hasty pre-judgment regarding the case of the players in question, especially their prized center.
“In that light, we will continue to allow him to play under the full presumption of innocence. Unless in the very remote instance that a court of competent jurisdiction determines otherwise, we will continue to support Asi and his fight to uphold his rights as a Filipino citizen,” Vargas added.
Lim said the Senate inquiry was inconclusive and should be treated as such.
“It has no probative value because it was done only in aid of legislation in the first place. It’s not conclusive,” he said. His sentiment was echoed by Coca-Cola coach Chot Reyes, who admitted having read a copy of the Senate report released last Thursday.
“Like what (PBA) Commissioner Noli Eala said, the players should be given their day in court,” Reyes said.
Reyes also said management has not instructed him to bench Hatfield or to prepare for the eventuality of the hard-working forward leaving the team.
Hatfield and Taulava were advised by their respective lawyers to refrain from talking about their case.
The scores:
First Game
FedEx 91 - Yap 17, Meneses 15, Ritualo 12, Codinera 11, Ferriols 8, Billones 8, Rodriguez 6, Arboleda 6, Ejercito 4, De Ocampo 4.
Talk ‘N’ Text 81 - Carey 20, Alapag 19, Taulava 11, Fran 8, Ravena 7, Pablo 7, Belano 7, Telan 2, Manalo 0.
Quarterscores: 28-17; 49-38; 66-62; 91-81.
Second Game
Coke 98 - Cariaso 22, Morano 18, Hatfield 14, Wainwright 12, Chia 8, Reavis 8, Hyugnatan 6, Juinio 6, Antonio 4, Bolado 0.
Jilin 63 - J. Li 19, Sun 10, Nie 7, H. Wang 7, K. Zhang 7, A. Li 5, S. Wang 4, Zhao 2, Yin 2, Y. Wang 0.
Quarterscores: 34-21; 63-34; 77-47; 98-63.
