Watkins, who replaced former import Marek Ondera, provided an imposing inside presence the Turbochargers have long sought for as they trounced the taller and bigger Talk N’ Text Phone Pals, 91-89, yesterday to boost its campaign in the Gran Matador PBA Fiesta Conference at the Araneta Coliseum.
Watkins, who played for the Georgetown Hoyas where NBA hall of famers Patrick Ewing, Alonzo Mourning and Dikembe Mutombo came from, was a dominating force in the shaded area, debuting three blocks short of a triple-double.
The tallest import at 6’7" 7/8, Watkins, 26, exploded with 29 points, 10 of which coming in the fourth quarter, on top of 23 rebounds, 10 off the offensive end, seven blocks and five assists in a spectacular performance that drew praises from Shell coach Leo Austria.
"He’s just our missing link," said Austria, who is now 2-1 since taking over the coaching chores from American John Moran. "He is exactly what we asked for. He’s a legitimate center, has a decent outside shot and a very disciplined player."
While Watkins, who last played for the Shougang Beijing Ducks in China, got the job done, Tony dela Cruz and Ronald Tubid did the rest for the Chargers.
Dela Cruz hit two pressure-packed free throws off a foul by Jerald Honeycutt with 10.6 seconds to go for the winning points while the high-leaping Tubid prevented Willie Miller, who was scorching hot with 24 markers, from taking the potential game-tying baseline jumper as time expired.
In the other game, importless Red Bull Barako leaned on the frontline duo of Davonn Harp and Mick Pennisi as it trounced Purefoods, 94-90, in overtime for its fifth win in nine matches.
The Hotdogs, saddled by foul trouble on import Eddie Elisma and Kerby Raymundo, absorbed their seventh setback against three wins.
Dela Cruz finished with 16 points while Tubid, playing his first game after sitting out a 92-100 loss to Sta. Lucia Realty on Feb. 29 due to a sprained ankle, added 14 to help the Turbochargers notch their fourth win in 10 outings.
Asi Taulava led the Pals with 26 points but struggled against the tough defense of Watkins.
Honeycutt, for his part, had only 13 points, a personal low this conference, on a woeful four-of-23 shooting from the field. He had a chance to become the hero with a triple that tied the count at 89-all with 16.9 ticks remaining but blew the chance after a foul on Dela Cruz.
It was Talk N’ Text’s fourth setback against six triumphs.
Meanwhile, the PBA will crack the whip on Coca-Cola import Mark Sanford and San Miguel Beer’s Nic Belasco for figuring in a scuffle after their Easter Sunday game won by the Tigers, 88-85, at the Dome.
Commissioner Noli Eala said both Sanford and Belasco, slapped a technical foul apiece for their unsportsmanlike behavior in the first quarter of that match, will be assessed with "hefty fines" although he did not mention any amount.
The decision came after Eala met with Belasco, Art Long and assistant coach Art dela Cruz yesterday and Tigers Sanford, Raffi Reavis, Bong Hawkins and the post mentor Biboy Ravanes Tuesday. The seven were reportedly involved in the post game melee at the venue lobby.
Only last week, Long was fined P10,000 by the PBA for a similar offense against Sta. Lucia players and game officials also at the same venue.