Thursday, December 20, 2007 Pals dump Air21, 127-115
MANILA - The Talk ‘N Text Phone Pals exacted vengeance over the Air21 Express as they pulled off a high scoring 127-115 victory last night in the 2007 Smart PBA Philippine Cup at the Cuneta Astrodome.
Ren-Ren Ritualo and Anthony Washington combined for 51 points in the match to fill up the void left by the absence of Mac-Mac Cardona and Harvey Carey due to suspensions.
“We lost important players like Carey and Cardona in this game. Before the match, I told them that it’s time to step up. And so that’s why we did have a good start,” said Talk ‘N Text head coach Dereck Pumaren.
The consistency of Ritualo and Washington, who shot a high 63.6 percent and 73.3 percent from the field, respectively, propelled the Phone Pals to solo fourth with an 8-6 win-loss slate and avenged a 115-118 setback last Nov. 23.
“They played strong, they scored and rebounded. It was all good for the team. I’m proud of them. They went all out for win. That’s why they came back when Air21 kept pushing on us,” said Pumaren.
Pumaren likewise noted their 57 rebounds to Air21’s 42 as one of the factors of their triumph, their third straight in the conference.
Ritualo topscored for the Phone Pals with 26 points and connected 4 of 8 attempts from the three-point arc and had three rebounds and four assists.
Washington finished with 25 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists, while Ali Peek added 17 points and 9 rebounds.
Ranidel de Ocampo scored 20 points for the Express, who dropped to solo ninth with a 5-9 card and Arwind Santos had 19.
Ritualo fired 19 points in the first half alone, including three triples to establish a big 19-point advantage for the Phone Pals, 55-36, that later on served as a cushion when the Express threw a searing rally to grab back the lead.
The Express, who are in their longest losing streak in the conference after dropping four of their last five matches, found newly recruit Gabby Espinas, a prized acquisition from the Magnolia Beverage Masters , as an able back up for Ocampo and Santos.
Espinas, scored seven points in the first half that helped the Express reduced their deficit to only 11 points, 44-55, with still 1:09 remaining in the second period. (FCC)
