Guards Sizzle as Phone Pals Subdues Kings

Guards Sizzle as Phone Pals Subdues Kings

Posted by Renan on 2007-10-25

After getting beaten by Purefoods in Dumaguete, the Talk 'N Text Phone Pals, behind their guards, handed the defending champions Brgy. Ginebra Kings a 111-102 defeat to improve their record to 2-1 in the 2007-2008 Smart PBA Philippine Cup at the Araneta Coliseum.

"Sinalaula kami ng Purefoods. We’re humiliated. The last two days, we were just talking about the importance of bouncing back. We used the loss as a motivational tool and we came out with boundless energy, intensity and effort," said coach Derrick Pumaren

Guards Marc Cardona scored 20, Jimmy Alapag and Felix Belano 17 each, and Renren Ritualo 13 to lead the Phone Pals' balanced attack.

It was a close game through the first 24 minutes, and although the Kings started hot, Talk 'N text ended the first quarter ahead, 29-28 and was still only up by 1, 52-51 at halftime.

A 16-7 run to open the 2nd half gave Phone Pals a 10-point lead 68-58 and led by as many as 18, 97-79 as the Phone Pals were hitting 3-pointers after 3-pointers.

"Na-challenge ako kay Tubid. Gusto kong tapatan yung energy niya," said Cardona, Best Player of the Conference in the 2006-2007 Fiesta Conference.

"Lumabas ang laro ni Macmac kanina kasi hindi na sya nagpipilit ng tira. I told him to change his game. Dapat malayo siya sa tao niya dahil pwede siyang bangga-banggain ngayon," said Pumaren.

Asi Taulava added 10 points for the Phone Pals in a balanced attack.

Seven players scored in double figures for the Gin Kings led by Ronald Tubid's 22 but they could not contain the Talk 'N Text guards.

Scores:

Talk N Text 111 – Cardona 20, Alapag 17, Belano 17, Ritualo 13, Taulava 10, Washington 9, Carey 9, Allado 8, De Ocampo 6, Aljamal 2.

Ginebra 102 – Tubid 22, Reavis 15, Salvacion 13, Mamaril 12, Macapagal 11, Artadi 10, Helterbrand 10, Holper 5, Lao 4, Aquino 0, Escalona 0, Abarrientos 0.

Quarterscores: 29-28, 52-51, 82-71, 111-102.