Tangkay propels Welcoat to semis

Outscored and outplayed by Mark Cardona in regulation, Hercules Tangkay dished out his best in overtime play as Welcoat Paints outlasted Harbour Centre in a thrilling 92-87 victory last night to clinch a semifinal berth in the 2005 PBL Unity Cup at the Pasig Sports Center.

Tangkay, coming off a six-month layoff due to injury, was overshadowed by Cardona in the early going but hit his stride in OT where he sizzled with nine of his 23 points highlighted by five unanswered points to seal the win for the Paint Masters.

"It was really his show, he made the big shots for us," said Welcoat coach Caloy Garcia.

Cardona, the leading MVP candidate, exploded with 32 points, including 10 fourth quarter markers but lost his poise in the extra period where he muffed crucial shots while turning the ball over several times.

The Port Masters have one more chance to gain entry to the semis phase with twice-to-beat edge provided they beat the Kornets Snack Masters in their quarterfinal duel tomorrow.

Earlier, Fil-Am sensation Kelly Williams came through with the baskets that mattered most as defending champion Magnolia Ice Cream outlasted Toyota Otis-Letran, 81-76, to gain a twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinal round.

Williams scattered 13 of his 24 points in the third quarter and then made key shots down the stretch as the Wizards moved a win from advancing to the best-of-three semifinals. They face the Knights tomorrow at the JCSGO Gym in Cubao.

Last year’s Unity Cup MVP Arwind Santos backed Williams with 18 points. He also snared 15 rebounds, had four shot blocks, two steals and an assist while Cesar Catli supplied the outside firepower with 15 points.

Coach Coy Banal also credited Joel Co and last-minute addition Jed Cutler, who stepped up when Dennis Miranda sprained his left ankle midway in the third period.

Acquired four games ago but used only twice, Cutler didn’t score a point but more than made up for his scoring slack by shackling the top Toyota Otis gunners.

"I have to give credit to Joel Co and Jed Cutler for stepping up in the absence of Denok (Miranda), most specially Jed," said Banal of his reed-thin back-up guard who was member of the 2003 FEU UAAP champion team.