Phone Pals back on line, cage Tigers

Talk n Text put premium on defense two days after being torched by Air21 in the previous outing to beat Coca-Cola, 78-71, in a defensive battle at the Ynares Center in Antipolo last night.

The Pals converted just 39.7 percent of their field-goal attempts but forced the Tigers to bleed for their points to get back on track in the Talk n Text PBA Philippine Cup.

"We didn’t play any defense at all the last time and we played Air21’s game. I told them (the Pals) to forget the loss but don’t forget the lesson we learned," said Talk n Text coach Derrick Pumaren.

"We’re able to make the stops when needed to, and that’s the name of the game tonight," Pumaren added.

The Pals gave away 127 points in a 17-point blowout by the Express Wednesday at the Big Dome. That number is the most yielded by the ball club in a game in almost 10 years or since a 132-110 loss to Shell on Oct. 22, 1996.

But taking that loss to heart, the Pals put up a resolute defense to choke the Tigers. Talk n Text held Coca-Cola to 18 points below its average output in its first four games in the season.

Offensively, the Pals went to their second stringers as they came up with a key run in the fourth period, and went on to notch their fourth win in five starts.

Macmac Cardona and Felix Belano made clutch shots while Don Allado provided the needed muscle at the paint in a fiery attack that had the Pals gaining headway from a 62-60 edge.

Talk n Text had Coca-Cola in control till the end, handing the Tigers their third defeat against two victories.

Cardona went 8-of-12 from the field and led all scorers with 20 points. Starters Asi Taulava, Jimmy Alapag and Renren Ritualo were the other Pals who scored in double figures, combining for 43 points.

Both teams missed key players with Talk n Text forward Jay Washington serving a one-game suspension while Tigers John Arigo and Kalani Ferreria sat out the game due to injuries.

Meanwhile, Sta. Lucia Realty stakes its hold of the solo lead as it goes up against defending champion Purefoods Chunkee in a road game at the Pacoy Ortega Gym in San Fernando, La Union today.

The Realtors are riding a three-game run and are up against a Purefoods squad still seemingly slowed down by championship hangover.

San Miguel drew tremendous boost on Danny Seigle’s return from sickbay as the Beermen nailed their first win in the season with an 81-71 tripping of the Alaska Milk Aces in the second game.

"Danny’s return was really a big morale booster. We finally played well for 48 minutes and that’s the key," said San Miguel coach Chot Reyes.

Reyes used Romel Adducul for 14 minutes but opted to keep Lordy Tugade and Omanzie Rodriguez on the bench on their first appearance in a San Miguel jersey.

"Romel already knows my system since he’s with us in the national team. Lordy is still hurting and I don’t want to push him."