Pals unhappy with Felix; Tigers win

Expectations were high Noel Felix would dominate the game with Bakari Hendrix coming to the game in civvies, nursing a strained ligament.

Alas, the Talk n Text import floundered in the first three quarters of play, and the Coca-Cola Tigers pounded the opening, scoring an improbable 102-82 rout of the Phone Pals in the Gran Matador PBA Fiesta Cup at the Araneta Coliseum last night.

"We’ll just play with an all-Filipino lineup from now on," Coca-Cola coach Eric Altamirano said in jest after his local crew completed the king-size upset and avoided what could have been the longest (five straight defeats) losing streak in franchise history.

The Tigers hustled almost without let-up, crashed the boards with impunity and likewise worked well offensively in a splendid all-round game that netted them a second win in six starts.

Vicious and relentless, the Tigers opened a double-digit lead right in the opening quarter, sat on a 60-34 cushion by halftime and enjoyed leads of no less than 17 the rest of the way.

"We came to this game not expecting this thing to happen. The boys took it upon themselves to do this. They made it possible," said Altamirano.

"I couldn’t pinpoint a single player. Lahat sila maganda ang inilaro," Altamirano added.

That was hardly an exaggeration.

Practically all the Tigers had their contributions although Ali Peek, Rafi Reavis, John Arigo, Johnny Abarrientos and William Antonio stood out as they proved to be the team’s deadly combo, embellishing their show with no less than three "highs."

Antonio made a career-high 15 rebounds, Abarrientos a season-high seven steals and Peek a personal conference best of 27 points.

The Tigers pulled one big game together that they hardly missed Hendrix who was relegated to the injured list due to the strained ligament he suffered in his debut with the team last Wednesday against the Alaska Aces.

The Coca-Cola management has enlisted a temporary replacement in former Chicago State player Darrell Johns, who is to plane in Tuesday night.

Former Chicago Bull Dickey Simpkins collected 25 points, 14 rebounds, five blocks and four assists as Alaska Milk halted Purefoods’ three-game romp, 76-66, in a slow-scoring game in the nightcap.