Mourning Pals gain quarterfinal seat

Jerald Honeycutt hacked out a near triple-double performance as Talk N Text stretched its streak to six games last night and assured itself of a seat in the Samsung PBA Governors Cup quarterfinals with a 93-86 victory over Shell at the Araneta Coliseum.

Honeycutt missed by two assists what could have been his first triple-double in the league as he found an easy prey in Bu Willingham, leading the Phone Pals to the easy Easter Sunday win over the beleaguered Turbo Chargers.

The wide-bodied import logged 33 points, 13 rebounds, eight assists, three steals and two blocks for the Phone Pals who also mourned the death of young actor Rico Yan. The coaching staff and the players wore a black patch on their uniforms in memory of the famous Talk N Text product endorser who died last Friday while vacationing in Palawan.

Talk N Text formalized its entry into the quarterfinals with its sixth win in seven outings while Shell virtually bombed out of a contention for the next round with a sixth straight loss and an overall record of 1-7.

In the second game, San Miguel Beer forced a three-way tie for sixth place with RP Hapee and Airfreight 2100/FedEx as the Beermen thumped the Bgy. Ginebra Kings, 74-56. The Kings fell into a tie with the Turbo Chargers.

Mathematically, the Turbo Chargers could still salvage a slot in the quarterfinals if they sweep their last three games against RP Selecta, Alaska and Sta. Lucia. The same goes for the Kings who will have to play RP Hapee, Red Bull and RP Selecta.

Former Shell players Mark Telan and Vic Pablo had a big hand as the Phone Pals dealt the Turbo Chargers a vicious blow in their quarterfinals bids.

Telan made 14 points while Pablo banged in 12 to remain the only local player scoring in double figures in all his games this season thus far. Pablo completed his first double-double job as he also snared 10 rebounds.

Richie Frahm also played steady with 16 points, four assists and two rebounds.