Nationals bundle out Hotdogs

Selecta RP Team outfought Purefoods in a duel of teams both on an alarming skid, pulling off a 69-65 decision that pumped back some life on its sagging bid for the Samsung PBA Commissioner’s Cup quarterfinals at the Astrodome.

The Nationals stilll groped for competitive form but found a way to win this time while ranged against a squad which seemed to have accepted its fate in the tournament.

While the Nationals gained some breathing room at ninth place on their third win in nine games, the Hotdogs eventually kissed their quarterfinals hopes goodbye on their seventh loss against one victory.

"This tournament may not really be meant for us," said Purefoods coach Ryan Gregorio as they took a big turnaround from their triumphant campaign in the first conference.

For a team coming off a championship in the previous conference, the Hotdogs’ performance here was the worst since the 1997 Commissioner’s Cup when their own team finished eighth and last after winning the All-Filipino Cup.

Despite the win, national coach Jong Uichico wore the face of a loser, admitting the Asiad-bound team was struggling.

"We’re finding it hard to find ways to score. Again, we limited our opponents in the 60s but we need to score in the high 70s consistently," said Uichico.

Curiously, the Nationals merely matched their 69-point average though facing a badly-undermanned Purefoods team.

The Hotdogs played without ailing pointguards Ronnie Magsanoc and Roger Yap.