Shark tears Ana, stays unbeaten

Shark Energy Drink played defense several notches higher as it scuttled a listless Ana Freezers side, 67-48, yesterday to win its fourth game in a row in the 2000 PBL Challenge Cup at the Makati Coliseum.

Defense was so evident in the Power Boosters’game as they limited the Freezer Makers to only a game total of 48 points, pulling off their most successful defensive job so far after holding their first three opponents to an average of 55 points.

"Just what I’ve always said, we are hard to beat if we will just play honest and tough defense," said Shark coach Leo Austria.

Ana survived the first Shark onslaught in the opening quarter where it rallied from 10 points down (8-18) to just two, 19-21, only to fizzle out in the ensuing quarters at the face of a series of telling runs that turned a close contest to a ghastly rout.

Stepping in from where Roger Yap, MVP of the season-opening PBL Chairman’s Cup, left off, Gilbert Malabanan ignited the first of a series of crippling attacks that pushed the Power Boosters way up, 32-19, in the second period.

Two more stirring splurges padded Shark’s lead to 22, 56-34, and the team went on to maintain comfortable leads en route to the win.

Yap paced the Power Boosters with 13 followed by four teammates who finished with nine apiece while Marvin Ortiguerra led the fight for the Freezer Makers with 14 points but could not find ample support as no other teammates scored more than eight for Ana’s third loss in five outings.

Montana Pawnshop drew strength from Ernest Medina as it ripped La Salle-Osaka Irodology, 70-50, in the second game. — Joey Villar