Pharex downs Oracle, evens series

MANILA, Philippines - Pharex pounced on the absence of several key Oracle Residences players as the Bidang Generix dominated the Titans, 81-72, yesterday to level their series at one game apiece in the PBL PG Flex Unity Cup finals at the San Juan Gym.

Fil-Am Chris Ross bounced back from a mediocre game in a 73-79 loss in the opener of the best-of-five series last Tuesday, finishing with 11 points, nine rebounds, eight assists, six steals and two shot blocks to power the Bidang Generix to the victory.

“He was not feeling well the last time out but played big in this game,” said Pharex coach Carlo Tan.

Cebu hotshot Ian Saladaga, Fil-Am Josh Urbiztondo, Raymond Aguilar and Don Villamin provided Ross the needed support as they scored 18, 14, 12 and 11 points, respectively, for the Bidang Generix who led from start to finish.

They ripped the game apart with a fluid offensive game in the third quarter, scoring 28 points to build a 62-43 margin entering the fourth period.

“We showed up with high level of energy, we were a lot more focused compared to Game One where we had energy but were disoriented,” said Tan.

Minus Mark Barroca and four other Titans, who are with the RP developmental team in Japan, Jerwin Gaco, Benedict Fernandez and Rob Labagala tried to carry the fight for the team but their combined 45-point output proved not enough to pull them through.

Barroca helped power Oracle past Cobra in their sudden death for the last final slot and against Pharex in Game One.

“I’m sure they (Oracle) missed him (Barroca) but our preparation is always against Oracle with Barroca in the lineup,” said Tan.

Pharex also bucked the loss of Ronnie Matias, who was ejected in the third period of the bruising contest that had the two teams getting three technical and flagrant fouls apiece.

The Bidang Generix took charge early before Urbiztondo, who played college ball for Fresno-Pacific, unloaded a seven-point splurge to erect a 34-26 lead at the turn.

A 16-7 binge anchored on Saladaga’s 10-point explosion hiked Pharex’s advantage to 50-33 before the team sat on a 22-point cushion in the last quarter.

The Bidang Generix made up for its 14-of-28 free throw shooting with a decent stint from the field after hitting 29 of the 70 shots they took including nine from behind the arc.

“Our field goal percentage made up for our poor free throw shooting,” said Tan.