MANILA, 20 November 2006 — Everyone in the Philippines, it seemed, talked about Manny Pacquiao’s victory over Erik Morales.
Even the PBA coaches used that stirring third round stoppage of the Mexican legend as a motivational tool to win in the Philippine Cup last night. Red Bull and Talk ‘N Text pounded out contrasting victories over separate foes, using Pacquiao’s heart and fists as their inspirations in climbing up the standings entering the crucial stages of the eliminations at the Araneta Coliseum.
The Barako bombarded a hapless Coca-Cola side from inside and out in the second half, as Mick Pennisi led the way in a 95-67 demolition of the Tigers before the Phone Pals upended San Miguel, 90-84, in the nightcap.
Red Bull climbed into a share of second place, bouncing mightily back from a loss the last time out to improve to 7-4, the same cards being held by idle Barangay Ginebra and defending champion Purefoods.
Talk ‘N Text, meanwhile, needed a strong finish to survive San Miguel in one of the most fiercely-contested games in the tournament. The Phone Pals, a rock-solid side that started awfully, won their second straight game to tie their victims in fifth spot at 6-5.
“We felt that if we could take that (Pacquiao) winning feeling into the game, we had a great chance of playing well tonight,” said Red Bull’s Yeng Guiao.
“Everyone in the team felt ecstatic this morning (after the Pacquiao win) and it was a great feeling to take (into the game).”
Pennisi, the hard-working big man of Guiao, scored all of his topscoring 16 points in the third period, catapaulting the Barako to a 72-49 lead from a slim 39-34 edge at halftime. The 6-foot-7 Filipino-Italian hit 4-of-6 attempts from three-point range as the Barako finally won one after two straight losses to keep a top two finish in the eliminations well within sight.
Cyrus Baguio scattered 13 markers and four other players finished in twin digits for Guiao, who could find starting center Enrico Villanueva suspended in their next game after figuring in a post-game fight with Coca-Cola’s Joseph Yeo in the parking lot.
The rookie Yeo, a La Salle alum, and Villanueva, an Atenean, figured in a heated skirmish under the basket near halftime which prompted an exchange of words before both were separated heading into their respective locker rooms for the break.
Both crossed paths again at the parking lot and Villanueva allegedly was the first to throw a punch at Yeo, who almost did not make it to the PBA after bloodying Villanueva’s nose in an exhibition game between Ateneo and La Salle last year.
Yeo, picked third overall in this year’s rookie pool, had 12 points to pace the Tigers, while William Antonio had 10 and was the last player in twin digits for Coke, which dropped into a tie for last place with newcomer Welcoat at 3-8.
Asi Taulava scored 26 points and the Phone Pals dropped a 13-5 bomb late in the game which proved to be the telling blow, much like the vicious right straights that Pacquiao landed on a badly-outclassed Morales for most of their 8-minute and 27-second bout in Las Vegas.
“The whole country is celebrating with his (Pacquiao’s) victory,” said Talk ‘N Text coach Derrick Pumaren. “The boys came into the game very inspired, and they used that inspiration out there tonight.”
