Red-hot Hatfield cools off Hotdogs

For the second time this conference, Rudy Hatfield stepped up anew as he led Coca-Cola to a 97-87 victory over a skidding Purefoods yesterday as the Tigers earned a place in the quarterfinal round of the Samsung PBA All-Filipino Cup at the Philsports Arena.

Johnny Abbarrientos, who was sidelined for most of this conference due to a hamstring injury, was adjudged the best player of the game with 16 points, five rebounds, six assists and two steals but it was the hardworking Hatfield who delivered the decisive blows for the Tigers.

Making up for a subpar game the last time out, the Fil-Am member of the RP team that competed in last year’s Busan Asian Games erupted for 21 points including 10 and nine in the first and third quarters, respectively, that set the tone for the win over the Hotdogs.

It was also Hatfield who spearheaded the team’s victory over the same squad in their first outing this conference, claiming a 93-88 decision in overtime in Iloilo.

And more importantly, the 2002 All Filipino Cup finals MVP erased the stigma of a forgettable stint in the Tigers’ 87-91 loss to the Talk N Text Phone Pals last Sunday where Hatfield had an atrocious 1-of-10 fieldgoal shooting clip.

"I was kind of trying to put too much pressure on myself, thinking that I was the finals MVP when we won the All-Filipino Championship last year," said Hatfield.

"I was more relaxed on this game because I focused more on what I should be doing like play defense, pick up rebounds and shoot the ball if needed," he added.

With Hatfield doing most of the damage, the Tigers took control early as it led by 15 markers, 44-29, early in the second quarter before slowing down going into the break with their lead cut down to 47-41.

Hatfield entered the fray anew in the third quarter when he detonated a nine-point splurge, sparking a telling third quarter run that pushed Coca-Cola alongside groupmates Batang Red Bull (11-4) and Talk N Text (9-5) in the next round with a 8-6 card.

In the other game, FedEx drew huge games from the trio of Vergel Meneses, Ren Ren Ritualo and Wynne Arboleda as it repulsed Talk N Text, 116-105, to join San Miguel Beer on top of Group A with a 8-6 slate.

It was the Phone Pals’ sixth defeat in 15 matches.