Locals get job done for Tigers

Coca-Cola paraded a new import but it was the locals who sizzled and provided the spunk as the Tigers rammed down Red Bull Barako, 98-86, last night in the Gran Matador PBA Fiesta Conference at the Cuneta Astrodome.

Darrell Johns, a 7-foot-1 Kokomo, Indiana native who is being scouted by the Toronto Raptors, proved to be a bit slow and sluggish after a three-week layoff following a stint with the Henan ballclub in the Chinese Basketball League.

His imposing presence, however, was enough to intimidate counterpart Dalron Johnson and the rest of the Barakos, while inspiring an already fired-up teammates, particularly Ali Peek, Dale Singson and William Antonio.

Peek, Singson and Antonio, who carried the cudgels for the import-less Tigers when they stunned the Talk N Text Phone Pals, 102-82, last Sunday, led the charge again and came away with 23, 13 and 13 points, respectively.

"Wala pang legs at medyo hilo pa," said Coca-Cola coach Eric Altamirano, back after a stint with the San Miguel All Stars, referring to Johns who just arrived last Wednesday.

"But the locals were able to get the job done again. I’m really proud of them and I have full confidence that they can deliver when needed," he added.

The Barakos, who are coming off back-to-back victories, were in the thick of things only in the first quarter where they trailed by just five points, 20-25, only to fall behind when Singson, Peek and Antonio sparked a telling second quarter run that saw the Tigers blow put the game out of reach, 58-35.

Singson, who was traded from San Miguel Beer for Gary David in a three-way deal, scattered all his 13 points in the second quarter, then teamed up with Antonio, who also had two triples in the period, and the bull strong Peek in the third quarter as the Tigers sustained the run before coasting to victory.

Meanwhile, the league will hold a 30th Anniversary Grand Reunion on May 28 at the Araneta Coliseum with the inauguration of the PBA Hall of Fame.

The festivities will be highlighted by the induction of 30 Hall of Famers from 69 candidates – players, coaches and media – that includes former Sen. Robert Jaworski, Francis Arnaiz, Ramon Fernandez, Abet Guidaben, Bogs Adornado, Freddie Hubalde, Samboy Lim, Hector Calma and imports Billy Ray Bates and Billy Robinson among others.