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Thursday, July 10, 2003
TNT evens finals series
By Patrick C. Costelo
Sun.Star Correspondent
AFTER being outplayed by Johnny Abbarientos and getting remarks of inexperience in the last three games, rookie Jimmy Alapag rose to the challenge and sizzled with five triples to lead Talk ‘N Text to a 99-91 Game 4 victory over Coca-Cola to even the PBA All-Filipino Cup finals series at 2-2.
Losing the first two games, where Alapag averaged just 8.3 points per, Talk ‘N Text had a hard time breaking away in the first three quarter until the final nine minutes as Alapag, who shot 5-of-6 from the arc, shot two treys to score eight of his 27 points in the final quarter, while “The Rock” Asi Taulava rendered the lanky Rafi Reavis helpless in the paint to log another double-double performance.
Talk ‘ Text was determined to even the series, which will now be at least a six-game affair, after displaying raw aggressiveness from the start, where they shot 51 percent while moving the ball around for 13 first-half dimes and converting 13 points off the Tigers’ 10 turnovers in the first two quarters.
Coca-Cola’s guards smoked the shaded lanes and the perimeter with Jeffrey Cariaso and Abarrientos, who both finished with 17 points after leading the Tigers’ third-quarter charge, where they outscored Talk ‘N Text by 30-25.
The final 12 minutes saw a battle of point guards as Abarrientos and Alapag tried to outplay each other, scored both their team’s first eight points of the period but Talk ‘N Text’s big men spelled the difference as Harvey Carey came up with clutch shots to aid Taulava’s demolition in the paint while Coke’s offense conked out.
Rudy Hatfield finished with 16 points while Ato Morano had 13 for defending champion Coca-Cola’s second straight loss in the series.
(July 10, 2003 issue)
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