MANILA, 18 October 2007 — Talk ’N Text came up with a statement game more than anything else — both for the rest of the PBA Philippine Cup field and Alaska .
Buoyed by the return of their three stars, the Phone Pals made short work of the Aces last night, flaunting their full might right from the get-go in a 113-106 victory to challenge pre-tournament predictions on who is really the team to beat here.
And it also told Alaska one thing, that the Aces’ championship in the Fiesta Cup last year — when Asi Taulava, Jimmy Alapag and Ren-Ren Ritualo were on loan to the National team — couldn’t have happened.
Taulava scored nine of his 19 points in the second period when the Phone Pals broke the contest wide open.
So overmatched were the Aces, who beat TNT in seven games for the Fiesta Cup, that they trailed by as many as 87-67 in the third period as the final score did not really reflect how lopsided the match was.
It was not surprising why the Phone Pals came out so hard after Magnolia, formerly San Miguel, was labeled as the team to beat during the pre-season.
There were a total of five players who finished with twin digit scores for the Phone Pals with Anthony Washington coming off the bench to toss in 20 points on 8-of-12 shooting from the field.
Meanwhile, tempers flared and players were tossed out when Purefoods rallied mightily in the fourth period to humble Sta. Lucia, 96-89.
A total of nine technical fouls were called and Purefoods Peter June Simon, one of the nicest players in the league, and Sta. Lucia enforcer Norman Gonzales both hit the showers early because of flagrant fouls. It was the kind of physical play that the league has anticipated after relaxing its rules to be able to promote higher scoring games and faster action. And it almost backfired right in only its second playdate.
“If that’s what the league wants, then I am supporting it fully. We just have to adjust to it,” said Purefoods coach Ryan Gregorio. “Fights can come aplenty with this kind of setting and it would be up to them (referees and PBA officials) to make sure that that does not happen.” Yap was at the receiving end of a hard Gonzales foul, and he, too, was slapped a technical for reacting in an ugly manner.
“This is the first time that I lost my cool in a basketball game,” Yap said in Filipino. “But I had to fight back because he (Gonzales) was hitting me deliberately.” Tim Cone of Alaska was ejected late in the fourth period of the second game for throwing fits in the game because of all the non calls that went against the Aces’ way.
But it came at a time when the outcome had already been settled and with Talk ‘N Text’s reserves already on the floor for the mop-up job.
“It’s a question of holding your ground — bump or get bumped,” Talk ’N Text coach Derrick Pumaren said. “I told the boys to be ready to adjust with the new rules and they proved tonight that they can adjust.” Willie Miller, who signed a P12.6 million, three-year renewal with the Aces just hours after the game, scored a career-high 35 points to pace the Aces, an effort that went to naught after he failed to get the necessary back up.
Tony Dela Cruz scored 13 points and Sonny Thoss 12 for the Aces.
