Friday, July 11, 2008 Sta. Lucia faces Phone Pals in knockout match
MANILA - Who will be the Ginebra Kings’ opponent in the best-of-three quarterfinal round?
The answer will be known today as Talk ‘N Text and Sta. Lucia Realty dispute the remaining quarterfinals berth in the lone knockout duel at the Ynares Sports Center in Antipolo City.
The winner will then meet Barangay Ginebra in the first quarterfinals match starting on Sunday. The other quarterfinalists are Coca-Cola and Magnolia Beverage.
Based on the records, the Phone Pals enjoy a psychological edge because they swept the Realtors in their two elimination round meetings in the reinforced conference.
The Phone Pals nipped the Realtors, 115-113, in the first round of the elims last Aptil 18 and followed it up with a convincing 90-80 win last May 17 in Cagayan de Oro City.
Sta. Lucia, the newly-crowned All-Filipino titlist, earned the right to advance into the second round of the wildcard phase by defeating defending champion Alaska, 99-86, also the other day.
But the possibility for the Phone Pals to play against the Realtors with an import remains hanging as PBA commissioner Sonny Barrios has yet to see the 6-foot-11 Terrence Leather at press time yesterday.
The former South Florida University standout Leather was ejected from the game with 9:38 remaining after engaging in another ugly skirmish with Purefoods Jondan Salvador last Wednesday also at the Ynares Center.
Commissioner Barrios summoned all those involved in the near brawl at 5 p.m., yesterday to explain their side first before making a decision.
The Phone Pals, who went on to eliminate the Giants, 98-83, were comfortably ahead, 79-63, when Leather threw the ball on the face of the 6-foot-3 Salvador that resulted to a near free-for-all.
This was the third time that he figured in such controversy. He was sanctioned for an earlier on-court outburst involving Air21’s Homer Se, and later against Ginebra’s Chris Alexander and Alex Crisano.
“Hopefully Leather will be spared of the suspension,” said Talk ’N Text coach Chot Reyes. “Whatever the commissioner’s decision will be, we have to be tougher Friday. All it takes is what we’ve got,” said Reyes. (FCC)
