Tigers deal Kings third loss in row

Coca-Cola kept its win streak going by dealing Barangay Ginebra its third straight setback via a thrilling 83-79 victory last night as the Tigers remained the only unbeaten team in the Samsung PBA All-Filipino Cup at the Araneta Coliseum.

Not even the eight-day rest could slow down the streaking Tigers who pounced on another Kings’ collapse at endgame to escape with the win – their fourth straight – in a victory that further underscored the team’s growing invincibility in the league’s season-opening tournament.

The nice thing about the Tigers is that they’re not a bit worried about their new-found strength or amazing streak. What they want to do is stay focused and try to improve in every game.

"The thing is we’re not even thinking of being the only unbeaten team in this conference. We’re all focused and concerned about improving our game," said Coca-Cola coach Chot Reyes. "The key is versatility and flexibility. If we can be like that, we will be hard to stop," he added.

The same could not be said of the crowd favorites.

The Kings flubbed their last eight attempts in the final 3:22 of the contest, miscues which the Tigers translated to eight crucial points that anchored their victory. It was Barangay Ginebra’s third straight loss after winning its first two games.

Jeffrey Cariaso delivered the goods for Coca-Cola down the stretch, scoring six of his 14 points in the last three minutes of play while the rest backed him up with a tough defense that took the starch out of key Ginebra gunner.

After struggling in his first four games, Fil-Am Eric Menk came through with a solid game highlighted by 24 points and 22 rebounds. But he failed to draw support from his teammates when it mattered most.

"Eric played a monster-game. He had 20-plus points and rebounds but the surprising thing about it, he didn’t even touch the ball late in the game," said Rudy Hatfield, one of the five who churned out double-digit scores (10) for the Tigers.

Rob Wainwright and Rafi Reavis each had 13 points while Leo Avenido tossed in another 10-point output for Coca-Cola, which will shoot for its fifth win in a row against Batang Red Bull on Friday.

In the other game, Batang Red Bull smashed Purefoods, 98-90, for its third win in four outings.

It was the Hotdogs’ fourth setback against a single win.

The Kings led by four points twice in the fourth quarter but, like in their past losses, blew it on both occasions.

A basket by Jun Limpot and a triple by Mark Caguioa made it 79-75 for the Kings with less than three and half minutes to go. But that proved to be their last basket as they failed to score the rest of the way, enabling the Tigers to strike back with Hatfield scoring to shatter a 79-all tie and Cariaso sealing the victory from the line.