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Saturday, September 21, 2002
Thunder defends title
By Patrick C. Costelo
DESTINY’S child Batang Red Bull proved themselves worthy of their hard-earned first championship after successfully defending the PBA Commissioner’s Cup against Talk N Text through a 67-60 domination in the chilling Game 7 last night at the Araneta Coliseum.
Julius Nwosu scorched for two straight games draining 16 points in the second half added to 15 big boards and two blocks to lead Red Bull’s charge in the low scoring clash. Davon Harp helped launch Red Bull’s fourth quarter offense side-by-side with Nwosu as they dominated in the paint. Nwosu’s electrifying inside game built the foundation for Red Bull’s conquest as they totaled 50 boards against the Phone Pals 35.
However, the hero of the day was Jimuel Torion, who showed the biggest heart in the game after drilling a 3-pointer with under a minute to go as Talk N Text trailed at 63-60.
The shot spread the smell of victory as the panic-stricken Phone Pals missed their endgame opportunities.
The road to their second title though, was never an easy one for Red Bull after sniffing Talk N Text’s trail most of the way in the seven-game series. But after clinching Game 6 to tie the series at 3-3 and forcing it to Game 7, Red Bull had a slight advantage handling the pressure.
In the grueling first quarter Red Bull took the temporary 13-6 edge as Sean Lampley played his heart out just as the Phone Pals went sloppy in their execution giving away 10 points off turnovers. After the lead stretched to 10, Pete Mickeal and Jerald Honeycutt started putting in their numbers cutting it to 30-27 before half time. Only Lampley ended the half in double figures with 13 points and 6 boards while Honeycutt led the Phone Pals with 8 points and 3 rebounds.
As the third quarter progressed, Talk N Text started punishing Red Bull shooting 63 percent with Mickeal taking matter to himself as he drilled 12 points. With Elmer Lago and Guilbert Demape chipping in their numbers, the Phone Plas took the lead at 38-41 with over five minutes in the period.
But it would be their end as Nwosu started with only his sixth point to drop a 7-0 bomb putting an end to the Phone Pals’ streak as Red Bull regained the advantage, 53-50, before entering the final canto.
The fourth kicked off with Talk N Text putting up a gallant stand as Mickeal racked up his 23rd point, closing the gap at 55-54. However, as the clock struck 6:29, Harp and Nwosu initiated their final surge in both ends of the court, stalling the Phone Pals 63-55.
As the last final two minutes approached, the imports of Talk N Text rallied cutting the edge to 63-60. It was then that Torion sank the unexpected winning shot as the Phone Pals zeroed in on their inside defense.
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