Tigers improve to thwart Giants in PBA

abs-cbnNEWS.com | 11/22/2008 1:00 AM

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Coca-Cola continued its mastery over Purefoods Tender Juicy in the tournament after securing a convincing 93-72 win Friday night to snap a three-game losing streak in the 2008-09 KFC-PBA Philippine Cup at the Araneta Coliseum.

Ronjay Buenafe returned to action for the Tigers and keyed the team's rampage in the fourth period to break away from a tight contest and help the team get out of the cellar with a 4-7 mark.

Buenafe, who missed the team's last three games because of an ankle sprain, dropped 14 of his 18 points in the fourth quarter where Coke outscored the Giants, 32-17, to mold the rout.

"This is a big win for us after losing three straight games tapos Purefoods pa ang kalaban mo which is a tough team to beat," said Tigers head coach Kenneth Duremdes who also drew 14 points from Nic Belasco.

"Buenafe's return is really the key here. We really missed him a lot in our three losses and he is the difference tonight," Duremdes added.

"Hindi pa rin ako 100 percent pero ginawa ko lang ang makakaya ko para makatulong sa team," said Buenafe who shot 5-of-10 from the field in just 20 minutes of play.

Coke was clinging to a 61-55 lead entering the fourth period when the Tigers unleashed a pair of runs that took the game out from Purefoods.

Aries Dimaunahan hit a jumper that ignited a 14-6 exchange capped by Mark Macapagal's three-pointer to push Coke's lead to 75-61 with 8:02 remaining.

After Purefoods slotman Rico Villanueva split his charities for a 62-75, score, Macapagal hit another three-pointer that started a decisive 11-2 exchange capped by Buenafe's back-to-back three-pointers for the Tigers' biggest lead of the game at 86-64, 5:04 left.

Coke was never threatened since then as Purefoods absorbed its second straight loss to go down in the standings with 5-7 slate.

Alex Cabagnot and Mark Telan each had 11 points for the Tigers who made it two in a row against the Giants. They pulled off a 103-102 double-overtime win in their first meeting.

Asi Taulava posted the lone double-double game with 10 points and 12 rebounds but he was 4-of-13 from the field.

James Yap was held down to just 15 markers in the game and only six in the second half. Villanueva and Kerby Raymundo also had 15 apiece for coach Ryan Gregorio.

Rich Alvarez had his best game as a Giant with 10 points and nine rebounds in 37 minutes of play.

Express 92 Barakos 89

In the second game, Air21 turned back the slumping Red Bull squad, 92-89 to extend its winning streak to three games and join Rain or Shine in fourth spot with 6-5 win-loss mark.

Ranidel de Ocampo and Gary David provided the crucial baskets down the stretch for the Express to complete the come-from-behind victory while handing the Barakos their fifth straight loss to go down deeper in the team standings with 3-8 card.

Nino Canaleta led Air21 with 20 points and 11 rebounds while Arwind Santos added 16 points and eight boards.

But it was De Ocampo and David that helped Air21 to get back on Red Bull in the final three minutes of the game.

De Ocampo's slam put the Express ahead by just one, 87-86, but Cyrus Baguio answered with a three-pointer to give the lead back to the Barakos, 89-87 with 2:51 remaining.

But Red Bull never scored since then and David completed a three-point play that started a 5-0 swing to peg the final score. Red Bull rookie Jeff Chan had the chance to send the game in overtime but his three-pointer misfired as the final buzzer sounded.

Cyrus Baguio was the only Red Bull player in double figures with 18 points.

as of 11/22/2008 1:00 AM