With import Jaja Richards dishing out a mediocre performance, the Coke team management’s contract-extension deal with Poch Juinio hours before the game proved to be a key factor as the former UP Maroon provided a big help to the Tigers at the paint.
Juinio signed a six-month contract worth P1.95 million in a last-minute negotiation with the team.
After closing a deal with Juinio, Coca-Cola then figured in a three-way trade with FedEx and San Miguel Beer involving Gary David, Dale Singson and a future Express’ draft pick.
David, a former Montaña Pawnshop ace player and veteran SEA Games campaigner, was already in the venue warming up for the game when he was told he’s been shipped to FedEx. The Express, in return, gave a future draft pick to the Beermen who dealt Dale Singson to the Tigers.
John Arigo, Ali Peek and Rafi Reavis, however, stood out among the Tigers as they delivered at crunch time, giving coach Eric Altamirano an auspicious return to the league.
National coach Chot Reyes, taking a leave of absence at Coca-Cola to concentrate on his job as RP team coach, was the first to congratulate Altamirano after the game.
"I’m happy to be back. And although I’m just subbing for Chot, I’m honored to coach this team which has a great winning tradition," said Altamirano, who last coached in the PBA in 2003 at Purefoods.
"Both teams struggled. Both imports didn’t play well. Blessing in disguise siguro nag-foul out ang import namin," Altamirano also said.
But the Tigers did gather themselves together as Richards went out on fouls with over six minutes left to play and the team locked in a toe-to-toe game with the Realtors.
Reavis, Peek, Arigo and William Antonio combined in a searing 13-1 attack from a 57-56 count, breaking the back of Sta. Lucia which drew an even poorer game from import Richard Jeter.
At least, the Realtors were not expecting much from Jeter, a 6-foot-5 player booked to play just one game for Sta. Lucia while waiting for Raheim Brown.
In the second game, Alaska Milk suffered a 73-82 loss to San Miguel Beer and later found out it lost valuable belongings in its dugout.
Practically all the members of the Alaska organization complained they lost their wallets, cellular phones and other important stuff inside their bags when burglars broke into the dugout while the game was ongoing.