Cardona, Carey suspension cripples Pals

With Mac Cardona and Harvey Carey sacked, the Talk n Text bench will have to step up as it goes up against a slumping Air21 side in the Smart-PBA Philippine Cup at the Astrodome today.

The prolific Cardona and Carey were ejected for unsportsmanlike conduct after figuring in a shoving match with Welcoat guard Jojo Tangkay in the Pals’ 99-96 victory over the Dragons last Friday.

Cardona, a former La Salle standout, was assessed two quick flagrant fouls, including a clothesline tackle on Tangkay, and was fined P20,000 and suspended for one game.

Carey, who also committed a flagrant foul, was suspended for two games and assessed P20,000 in fines.

The Express are expected to pounce on the absence of Cardona and Carey in their 4:35 p.m. match as they try to arrest a three-game skid that dropped them to joint eighth spot with the surging Tigers on 5-8 cards.

With two of his stalwarts out, Talk n Text coach Derick Pumaren hopes to draw big games from Don Allado, Felix Belano, Egay Billones, Yancy de Ocampo and Anthony Washington.

Also to be suspended is Welcoat’s rookie guard Ryan Arana, who was also assessed a flagrant foul 2 on Coca-Cola’s Asi Taulava in their 72-86 setback Sunday.

Meanwhile, Alaska Milk shoots for solo second as it takes on a resurgent Sta. Lucia squad in the 7:20 p.m. main game.

The Aces, tied with the Red Bull Kings at 8-5, will have their hands full against the Realtors, who have picked up three straight wins.

“They’re on streak, we’re still looking for ways to stop them,” said Alaska coach Tim Cone.