MANILA, 17 January 2008 — Asi Taulava has the last laugh at the moment.
The 6-foot-10 man-mountain, acquired by Coca-Cola in a celebrated trade with Talk ‘N Text, inflicted the hurt on his former team last night after posting a double-double that carried the Tigers to a 101-85 win and relegated the Phone Pals to the Philippine Cup’s wildcard phase.
And not only that, Coca-Cola also sealed a return match with the Phone Pals in a KO match that will be played tomorrow also at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City, a game which Taulava said he likes.
“There’s a lot of fire in me and I don’t think I am going to back down,” Taulava said after scoring 14 points and pulling down 13 rebounds that gave the Tigers a 7-11 elimination round tally.
“We’ll do whatever it takes to win (against Talk ‘N Text in the wildcard), because this win means nothing if we don’t beat them again.”
That really didn’t mean anything for the Tigers, but it was significant enough for the Phone Pals, who gave idle Magnolia a free ride to the quarterfinals as the natural fifth seed.
“Words cannot describe it (win),” Taulava, who was shipped to Coca-Cola for Ali Peek and draft rights after 10 years with the Phone Pals, added. “But I’ll tell you how it really feels on Friday.”
Talk ‘N Text wound up with a 9-9 elimination round slate and will play in the wildcard as the No. 6 seed.
Athletic Air21, the eighth seed, clashes with defending champion Barangay Ginebra in the other you-or-me game tomorrow.
Alex Cabagnot scored 13 points in the first period and finished with 20 to lead the Tigers, who also got 15 points from John Arigo and 11 each from rookie Ronjay Buenafe and Ricky Calimag.
Red Bull closed out its elimination round stint on a sweet-sour note earlier after posting a 97-84 victory over Purefoods that saw the ejection of a big man coming from each side.
The Barako’s Carlo Sharma threw an elbow at Jondan Salvador which sparked a near-riot early in the fourth period and Red Bull holding a comfortable 73-65 lead.
Salvador, the best big man coming off the Purefoods bench, retaliated with a swinging forearm and sent Sharma down before the intervention of game officials saved the game from truly getting out of hand.
Both players will definitely be fined heftily and suspended, depending on the decision of the Commissioner’s Office.
Sharma will be a bigger loss for the Barako, who are in the quarterfinals.
“This was supposed to be a no-bearing game for us,” coach Yeng Guiao of Red Bull said with a slight smile. “I think it’s the kind of intensity we can get from both teams. This game was just for bragging rights.
“We were also trying to protect a record against Purefoods, because we’re the only team they haven’t beaten,” the firebrand mentor added. “Any suspension will hurt any team.
“I don’t know, we will leave it to the wisdom of the Commissioner and wait for their decision. It will certainly hurt us if one of our big men is not able to play.” Cyrus Baguio and Junthy Valenzuela scored 11 points each for Guiao, while Paolo Bugia, Topex Robinson and Sharma contributed 10 apiece.
James Yap and Kerby Raymundo led the Giants with 22 each and Marc Pingris scored 14 of his 16 points in the final two periods to go with 16 rebounds and two assists. Raymundo also collared 15 boards.
Meanwhile, the board convenes today to vote on who between Chito Salud and Lambert Ramos will be the league’s permanent commissioner.
Two rounds of voting had already been held last Dec. 17 and it is likely that a third stalemate could ensue in the meeting that starts at 10 a.m. at the league’s offices in Quezon City since backers of both parties have been staunch in supporting their respective man.
