Easy prey for Tigers

The Coca-Cola Tigers showed no mercy against an undermanned Airfreight 2100/FedEx Express, scoring a 110-82 rout in their first game in the Samsung PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Astrodome last night.

The Tigers practically walked the tightrope before repulsing the Express, 66-62, in their previous encounter in the Governors Cup opener last Feb. 10.

But with FedEx still awaiting the arrival of import Art Long and missing the services of player-on-leave Bong Alvarez, what was expected to be a grudge match turned to be a ghastly rout for Coca-Cola. The Tigers, who narrowly missed the Governors Cup finals, got off to a roaring start over a hapless Express as they gained an early share of the lead with the Talk N Text Phone Pals and the Red Bull Thunder in the mid-season tournament.

Comebacking import Ron Hale logged 20 points while new partner Bryant Basemore tallied 13 points, 12 rebounds, six assists and five blocks to lead the Coca-Cola assault.

So unforgiving were the Tigers that they dealt the Express their worst defeat in the league thus far. Coca-Cola’s output erased the previous season’s best of 107 scored by Red Bull and Purefoods in the first conference.

The 6-foot-6 Basemore, a product of Fort Hays State with rich experience in playing as import in South America and Europe, made an impressive debut in the local pro league – thanks in part in the absence of a worthy rival in the other side.

"I think everyone knew that was not the import-combination FedEx had in mind. I know Art Long. If he were in there, it could have been a different story," said Coca-Cola coach Chot Reyes.

With the 6-foot-9 Long still unaccounted for, FedEx was forced to take in 6-foot-2 Jeremy Robinson for as a substitute.

Robinson, one of Spring Cooking Oil’s imports in last year’s ABC Champion’s Cup, struggled for 12 points.

Coca-Cola started the game with a nine-to-nothing run and closed the first half with a dizzying 26-point run.