Shell lives up to seeding, claims first semis berth

Eliminations topnotcher Shell, stopped by Mobiline Sunday, returned to play according to its playoffs seeding last night, getting back at the Phone Pals, 80-69, to earn the first berth in the PBA All-Filipino Cup semifinal round at the Philsports Arena.

Berated by their coach the last time out for a woeful showing, the Turbochargers came out in full throttle, bouncing back mightily against the Phone Pals as they stayed on track for a big turnaround from a forgettable campaign last season.

Winning only nine of 33 games the whole of the 2000 season, the Turbo Chargers surpassed this number last night as they hurdled the Phone Pals to get a shot at the finals versus the winner of the Purefoods-Ginebra matchup. For the record, Shell failed to reach even the quarterfinals of any of three tournaments last year.

"For just making it to the semis here, I think we stopped being one of the boys and became one of the men again," said Shell coach Perry Ronquillo.

Ronquillo lauded the Turbo Chargers for responding to the challenge and refusing to buckle under extreme pressure.

"Seriously, I was worried whether the boys would rise to the challenge, but when push came to shove, they came through," said Ronquillo.

The roly-poly coach was literally the one to have succumbed to the occasion as he tripped on the way to the media interview and sprained an ankle but Ronquillo said "it’s worth it."

"It’s okay with me even if I got injured as long as my players stay healthy and ready to play in the semis," said the injured rotund mentor, who was helped on his way to the interview by the Shell support staff.

Rob Wainwright, neutralized by his Mobiline defenders the last time, was back in his fiery self, scoring a career-high 27 points that went with five rebounds, two assists and one block as he led the Shell juggernaught.

A number of Shell players actually came out of their shells.

Chris Jackson pulled down 18 rebounds, Gerry Esplana and Dale Singson tended the backcourt very well, combining for 26 points, 10 rebounds and six assists while Mark Telan added 12 points, 10 rebounds, two blocks and one assist.

Meanwhile, Jerry Codiñera, who played like a hungry lion Sunday, came out listless last night, in the process slowing down the Phone Pals.

Vic Pablo tried to take up the cudgels for Mobiline but his 26-point game went for naught as the Phone Pals failed to make it two in a row versus the Turbo Chargers. They finally joined the Sta. Lucia Realtors and the Tanduay Rhum Masters in the sideline.

"My hat’s off to them (the Phone Pals). To be honest, I felt more relieved than happy in this victory. They made us work very hard," said Ronquillo.