MANILA: The PBA Philippine Cup’s biggest draws clashed for the first time last night and was the tournament’s biggest mismatch thus far.
San Miguel used a torrid start and a more furious finish to tear Barangay Ginebra to shreds, 118-89, for its fourth straight win that put the Beermen in second place of the season-opening tournament’s elimination round at the Araneta Coliseum.
Lordy Tugade scored 21 points built around five triples, and six other Beermen scored 11 or better in a splendid display of deep artillery as San Miguel rose to 4-1 and dealt the Gin Kings their second straight loss.
“I guess the key for us was that we never relaxed in this game, and in our previous games for that matter,” the 6-foot-3 Tugade told Arab News on the way back to the parking lot. “We are playing as a team and that is a good sign.”
Ginebra, which dropped to a level 2-2 card, was still without three key men in Billy Mamaril, Rafi Reavis and the gunslinger Mark Caguioa. Compounding matters for coach Jong Uichico was the suspension of forward Ronald Tubid before the game. San Miguel also played a little shorthanded, with the Beermen missing Danny Ildefonso, Mike Cortez and Danny Seigle because of various injuries.
But the sheer depth of the San Miguel lineup was very evident, as coach Siot Tanquingcen never had any problems on finding someone to step up with Tugade leading the way. Even second-string forward Ken Bono was great, hitting 16 points with Wesley Gonzales adding 14 and Jay Washington, Dondon Hontiveros and Christian Calaguio shooting 12 apiece. After a low-scoring first period, the Beermen put on their skates and broke away, taking leads of more than 20 points before the first half ended before closing out the third quarter with an 80-55 lead.
Dennis Espino converted on a short stab after a freakish breakdown of Coca-Cola’s defense in the final 33.4 seconds as Sta. Lucia escaped with an 83-82 victory for its third straight win. The defending champion Realtors also denied Kenneth Duremdes of a swashbuckling coaching debut as Sta. Lucia improved to 3-1 overall.
It was the third straight loss for the Tigers, whose management fired coach Binky Favis Monday night and appointed the former Most Valuable Player Kenneth Duremdes as coach in an interim capacity.
Espino nailed the wide-open game-winning basket after Coca-Cola teammates Asi Taulava and Ryan Buenafe got entangled underneath during an inbounds play as Sta. Lucia bounced back from a near offensive meltdown.
The Realtors, after taking a 78-75 lead with an Espino layup heading into the final 6:20, didn’t score until Espino himself completed a three-point play off Nic Belasco with 45.4 seconds left that made it 81-82. “I’ll take that result anytime,” Sta. Lucia coach Boyet Fernandez said. “Coke is a different team (under Duremdes) and I am glad that we got to face them after just having one day to prepare (under a new coach).
“But believe me, Coke will be a different team from now on and they will be very dangerous.”
Duremdes had just one day to prepare and the Tigers came out with a different look, playing aggressively on both ends but falling just short.
Favis was given the pink slip Monday night after a 1-3 start, ending a two-year relationship with the squad which he failed to steer past the quarterfinals of the Fiesta Cup last season despite two imports and a high-priced local lineup.
Management has denied “firing” Favis and team representative to the board, JB Baylon, is now busy shopping around for a permanent coach.
Gerard Francisco acted as assistant for last night’s game. Because of the freak collision between Buenafe and Taulava, Taulava was unable to play in the final 33.4 after his right calf muscle was hit hard by Buenafe’s knee.
The 6-foot-10 center had to be helped off the court by teammates and staff.
