MANILA, 19 January 2007 — Big men who literally did very little the last time up decided their teams’ fates.
Anthony Washington and Yancy De Ocampo came up with career games to lift Talk ‘N Text and Enrico Villanueva delivered when it mattered for Red Bull as the two quarterfinal series in the PBA Philippine Cup were reduced to best-of-three affairs.
Washington and De Ocampo tossed in 26 points apiece, spearheading the Phone Pals in two key stages of a 110-92 victory over defending champion Purefoods before Villanueva scored six of his eight markers in overtime in a 100-92 Red Bull win over Sta. Lucia.
Villanueva, Red Bull’s starting center who has been struggling on the offensive end of late, scored the baskets that told as the Barako finally got their bearings and displayed little of the rust that slowed them down in a series-opening loss.
“We’re still struggling. We have yet to get our game back,” coach Yeng Guiao later said. “But I am seeing some improvements in our game, and that is a good sign.
“There is a strong possibility that this series will go five games,” he added. “We’re preparing ourselves for the long haul, and I think, us being a better rested team, we have the advantage if this (series) goes the full route.”
Red Bull rallied from a 13-point first half deficit and almost lost it in regulation, after Dennis Espino failed to give Sta. Lucia the victory by flubbing a running jumper inside the paint that sealed extension at 89-all.
From 91-all, Villanueva hit two straight baskets, the first a slam-dunk off a Junethy Valenzuela feed and the second a layup against Marlou Aquino for a four-point spread heading into the final 2:32.
The Barako never trailed again, though the Realtors had one final chance to equalize, until Nelbert Omolon, who was 7-of-8 before the final 11 seconds, rattled a layup off the rim at the buzzer.
“I came down hard on them the last game, told them that they cannot play soft here,” Pumaren told Arab News. “This is the playoffs and tonight, we played to our true potential, unlike (in Game 1) when we really came out flat.”
The 6-foot-7 Washington also grabbed eight rebounds and had one-shot block, while the 6-foot-9 De Ocampo, in just his second game with the Phone Pals after being traded before the Christmas break, collared 13 boards and had four assists.
But Pumaren is staring at the possibility that Jimmy Alapag could be out for the next game after his starting point guard was ejected with just 49 seconds left for throwing a punch to the face of Paul Artadi.
“I hope that we can still have momentum on our side, though I think we will lose Jimmy (Alapag for the next game), “ Pumaren said. “We should not be happy with this win because we only equalized.”
Alapag, who is facing a possible suspension and fines, and Artadi almost came to blows at centercourt, as the feet of both players got entangled with Artadi on the floor and Alapag struggling to regain his balance. Game tape replays showed that the TNT guard hit Artadi in the right eye while game officials and members from both teams were pacifying both.
De Ocampo was so effective in manning the slot that Asi Taulava was able to see in action for only 18 minutes. The Fil-Tongan center finished with just two points, taking just three field goal attempts and two missed free throws. He also had eight rebounds.
Ren-Ren Ritualo also played a key role, shooting 18 points built around three triples and a 4-of-6 clip from two-point range. Mark Cardona and Felix Belano scored 11 apiece. James Yap scattered 25 points to lead the Giants, who lost Marc Pingris to a fractured nose after an accidental hit from Alapag in a rebound play just three minutes into the third quarter.
