Coke, TnT gain quarters berths

Coca-Cola and Talk n Text overcame stiff challenges by Purefoods and FedEx, respectively, to book seats in the Gran Matador PBA Fiesta Conference quarterfinals at the Araneta Coliseum last night.

What the Tigers failed to do versus the Alaska Milk Aces on Sunday they did with flourish versus the Hotdogs, delivering a strong finishing kick for a 94-92 decision.

The Phone Pals, meanwhile, watched John Ferriols miss a crucial jumper with six seconds left then Wynne Arboleda made a triple a little past the buzzer as they nipped the Express, 105-103.

Reasserting their mastery over Purefoods and FedEx, Coca-Cola and Talk n Text eventually joined San Miguel Beer and Alaska in the quarters, leaving Red Bull Barako, Shell, Sta. Lucia Realty and Barangay Ginebra to dispute the last two slots in the next round.

The Thunder clash with the Turbochargers and the Realtors mix it up with the Kings in a pair of knockout tiffs in the same venue today.

Coca-Cola’s veteran players responded to the call of their mentor, providing the team the staying power and the endgame hurrah as the Tigers survived the Hotdogs with their new import James Head.

Jeffrey Cariaso erupted for 30 points while Johnny Abarrientos and Poch Juinio combined for 19, keying Coca-Cola’s march into the next round at the expense of Purefoods.

It would be remembered that Coca-Cola coach Chot Reyes didn’t hide his disappointment with the mediocre showings of Cariaso, Abarrientos and Juinio as they lost to the Alaska Aces their playoff game for an outright entry into the quarters last Wednesday.

Cariaso made the biggest impact in a big comeback from a woeful three-point game versus the Aces.

"I know I didn’t play well the past couple of games but I hang in there and kept thinking positively. I’m happy my teammates didn’t give up on me," said Cariaso.

The Busan Asiad veteran picked up the slack with Mark Sanford riding the bench in foul-trouble situation.

"Mark in foul trouble in the first half proved to be a blessing in disguise," said the Coca-Cola mentor. "It kept him fresh in the second half while allowing the locals to step up in his absence."

Rudy Hatfield was among the Coca-Cola locals who also played big, coming away with 14 points, including four clutch baskets down the stretch.

In a bid to gain another game to play, the Hotdogs came out with Head in tow, but saw their head chopped off by the Tigers just the same.

Head’s decent stats of 25 points, 16 rebounds, five assists, three steals and one block didn’t save the Hotdogs from elimination. The team won’t plunge back into action until the opening of the league’s 30th season in October.

With Head and Rey Evangelista leading their attack, the Hotdogs seized a 47-36 lead at the half.

When Sanford returned to help the Tigers grab the lead at 77-67, Head made a run of his own as the Hotdogs charged within two, 82-84.

However, it turned to be the Hotdogs’ last hurrah.