Tigers claim first win at Giants’ expense

By Arman Carandang

10/31/2009

True to his forecast, Purefoods coach Ryan Gregorio and his Giants found Coca-Cola a tough customer last night, the Tigers claimed their very first win in the KFC-PBA Philippine Cup at their expense.

Showing tremendous poise under pressure, the Tigers outgunned the TJ Giants in the fourth quarter to finally barge into the win column via a 93-79 win at the Araneta Coliseum.

The win, their first after dropping their first three outings, came a bit hard for the Tigers as they needed to come back from 12 points down, then played steady offense in the fourth period to put one over a Purefoods team that lost its rhythm at both ends.

It came very sweet though for the Tigers who were able to pull through despite the absence of Paul Asi Taulava who is still nursing a swollen foot, and with coach Kenneth Duremdes calling the shots despite his fractured left arm in a cast. “They (Tigers) refused to lose,” said Duremdes after the win. “Even though they are struggling, I told them we had to play no matter what happened, so when we’re down, we fought and fought, and the veterans delivered.”

Dennis Espino and Norman Gonzales, formerly of Sta. Lucia Realty, both struggled in the first half, but finally found their touch in the second half to lead the Tigers to the big victory, and send the Giants reeling to their second win in four games.

The Tigers, with only three of them scoring in double digits, actually got their biggest break in the game when the Purefoods’ coaching staff had some difficulty finding the right combination inside.

Trailing 43-58, the Tigers suddenly came up with a big burst, unloading a telling 14-2 binge behind the three triples of Mark Macapagal and Norman Gonzales as Coke moved within 57-60 late in the third.

Then the Tigers kept their guns ablaze in the fourth period behind Ken Bono, Macapagal, Wesley Gonzales, Dale Singson, and Espino.

They first limited the Giants to six points in the first three minutes while coming up with 11 points to move within 72-73, before Dale Singson eluded his defenders for a drive that put the Tigers for the first time at 74-73, with 6:18 left.

James Yap went for a quick attempt from beyond the arc, but missed, paving the way for a Singson’s triple, 77-73, from where the Tigers never looked back.

A triple by Alex Cabagnot gave Coca Cola an 85-78 lead with 1:50 left over Purefoods, which led by 15, 58-43 midway in the second quarter.

There will be no games tomorrow as the league joins the nation in the observance of All Saints’ Day.

The elimination round resumes on Nov. 4 featuring San Miguel Beer against Rain or Shine and Alaska Milk vs Sta. Lucia Realty.

Norman Gonzales finished with 17 points, including three triples, Espino added 15 points and eight rebounds while Wesley Gonzales had 13 points, including a triple which virtually sealed the win, 88-79 for Coca-Cola, with 47 seconds left

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