By JAY R. GOTERA
The Saudi Gazette
MANILA
ALASKA stood its ground against a relentless Talk ‘N Text assault, beating the Phone Pals, 98-94, Wednesday night at the Araneta Coliseum to register its first victory in the 2007 PBA Fiesta Conference.
The aggressiveness of comebacking import Rosell Ellis and big man Sonny Thoss proved to be the key in Alaska’s victory.
Talk ‘N Text import James Sullinger also showed flashes of brilliance but these were not enough to offset the Phone Pals’ handicap of playing without three key players – center Asi Taulava, shooter Renren Ritualo and playmaker Jimmy Alapag – who are on loan to the Philippine national team.
In the first game, Air21 exacted vengeance on Sta. Lucia – the team that eliminated it in the quarterfinals of the last Philippine Cup – as it scored a come-from-behind 101-94 victory against the Realtors.
The loss spoiled the coaching debut for Sta. Lucia of Boyet Fernandez.
The Air21 Express stunned the Realtors in the fourth quarter with a decisive charge led by Gary David who led all all scorers with 25 points, including 12 in the final period as the Express outscored the Realtors, 32-19.
Air 21 coach Bo Perasol said the victory was sweet revenge against Sta. Lucia. Air21 lost in overtime 121-118 to the Realtors last January 12 in a sudden-death playoff for the last quarterfinal berth in the previous conference.
Shawn Daniels scored 13 points and had 17 rebounds, rookie Arwind Santos added 12 points and two blocks and guard Wynne Arboleda contributed 12 points, seven rebounds and nine assists for the Express, who capitalized on Sta. Lucia’s poor shooting from the line.
The Realtors looked good in the early going and led by as many as 14 points in the first half before settling for a 46-36 advantage at halftime.
Poor free-throw shooting led to Sta. Lucia’s fall as the Realtors made only 12 of their 28 free throws.
Sta. Lucia held an 89-84 lead with under six minutes to play. But they missed their next three shots and committed three successive turnovers that led to a 6-0 run and a 90-89 lead for the Express with 2:58 remaining.
A three pointer by Cesar Catli put the Realtors back in front but Santos scored two crucial baskets and Homer Se completed an assist by David underneath as Air21 took the lead for good 96-92 with 1:21 to go.
Meantime, Kelly Whitney, who was supposed to reinforce San Miguel Beer, was ruled ineligible to play after league officials found out that he is over the required height limit.
The 200-lb forward from Chicago measured 6-6 7/16, almost half an inch over the 6-6 limit for imports this conference.
San Miguel acting coach Biboy Ravanes said Whitney’s replacement will be coming as soon as possible but refused to provide any details about him.
The Beermen open their campaign on Friday against defending champion Red Bull.
While awaiting the arrival of their new import, Ravanes said they will be fielding a substitute import named Vidal Massiah. Ravanes said Massiah flew in and tried out for the team.
An American based in Canada, Massiah reportedly played for the Canadian national team. He is scheduled to be measured Wednesday morning.
The scores:
Air21 101 – David 25, Daniels 13, Santos 12, Arboleda 12, Dimaunahan 11, Telan 11, Canaleta 9, Se 8, Andaya 0, Bernardo 0, Torion 0.
Sta. Lucia 94 – Winston 18, Duremdes 15, Espino 14, Aquino 11, Williams 10, Cabagnot 6, Calimag 6, Gonzales 5, Mendoza 4, Catli 3, Isip 2, Bughao 0, Omolon 0.
Quarterscores: 15-22, 36-46, 69-75, 101-94.
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