MANILA, Philippines--(UPDATE) AND JUST like that, the tournament's defending champion headed for the exit, joined by the team penciled as a favorite to snag the crown.
Asi Taulava and Mark Clemence Telan had different views as far as motivation was concerned but both were on the same page during the game, powering Coca-Cola to an 81-73 victory over Talk 'N Text Friday night in the Smart PBA Philippine Cup at the Cuneta Astrodome.
Taulava said it wasn't in any way personal. Telan saw it otherwise.
Saying he really wanted "to kill" Talk 'N Text, Telan scored 22 points and hauled down nine rebounds in helping the Tigers oust the team he used to play for.
Taulava also terrorized his former team with 13 points and 16 rebounds before apologizing later on to management of the squad where he spent his first 10 years in the league.
"We really wanted to kill Talk 'N Text and I think we did it," said Telan, who was traded by the Phone Pals after the 2006 season.
The victory put the Tigers into another KO game against Air21 on Sunday, after the Express ended the reign of the Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings with a 119-110 victory in the second game. The winner of that match plays Alaska in the quarterfinals.
The Express nearly blew an eight-point lead in the last three minutes, and needed a three-pointer from Ranidel de Ocampo in the last 27.7 seconds to oust the Kings, who became the 22nd team that failed to defend the all-Filipino crown.
"I apologize to my former bosses for the way I played against them in the last two games," said Taulava, soaked in sweat and looking very tired after playing 39 minutes, but obviously very elated.
"This is nothing personal," he added. "I wish the best to the Talk 'N Text bosses, and I apologize, especially if I said anything (on Wednesday) that might have offended them."
Meanwhile, Carlo Sharma of Red Bull and Jondan Salvador of Purefoods were suspended for a game each and fined P25,000 and P20,000 respectively, for fighting during their game won by the Barako on Wednesday.
The scores:
First Game
COCA-COLA 81--Telan 22, Taulava 13, Enrile 8, Arigo 7, Buenafe 6, Isip 6, Cabagnot 5, Dimaunahan 5, Tolomia 4, Calimag 3, Misolas 2.
TALK 'N TEXT 73--Cardona 22, Peek 14, Washington 8, Allado 7, Ritualo 6, Alapag 5, Carey 4, Belano 4, De Ocampo 3, Aljamal 0.
Quarters: 23-15, 38-37, 64-57, 81-73
Second Game
AIR21 119--Arboleda 32, De Ocampo 29, Santos 14, David 12, Canaleta 9, Intal 7, Chia 7, Kramer 6, Espinas 2, Se 1, Cruz 0, Sotto 0.
BARANGAY GINEBRA 110--Caguioa 23, Helterbrand 21, Menk 18, Tubid 15, Salvacion 12, Reavis 9, Mamaril 7, Macapagal 3, Artadi 2, Pablo 0.
Quarters: 33-34, 58-56, 90-84, 119-110
Source: http://sports.inquirer.net/inquirersports/inquirersports/view/20080118-113336/Former-Pals-help-take-out-Talk-N-Text
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