Texters clobber Express in Davao showdown
TALK 'N Text relied on the hot hands of speedy guard Jimmy Alapag and the all-game long brilliance of import Paul Harris to crush Air21, 124-110, in their PBA Commissiner's Cup showdown before a huge crowd at the Holy Cross of Davao College (HCDC) Gym Saturday night.
Harris fired 28 points and Alapag added 24, including six connections from the three-point country as the Tropang Texters registered their second straight win after losing their opening game in the conference to Smart Gilas.
Three others scored in double figures for Talk 'N Text, with Ryan Reyes hitting 16, Ranidel de Ocampo firing 14 and Larry Fonacier finishing with 10.
With the victory, Talk 'N Text spoiled the debut of Dondon Hontiveros and three others who played their first game with the Express after being traded from San Miguel Beer.
Hontiveros displayed his deadly outside shots to finish with 24 points, but the Texters simply beat them in a running game.
Aside from Hontiveros, others who were shipped from SMB to Air21 following a blockbuster trade days earlier were Dorian Peña, Danny Seigle and Paul Artadi. All the new Express recruits performed well for their new team.
The trade likewise sent Rabeh Al-Hussaini, Nonoy Baclao and Rey Gueverra to the Beermenn.
The Texters used a killng running game to jump to an early lead and never looked back as the Express had difficulty finding their range.
Still, the Express made it exciting for the crown as they managed to cut the lead several times specially after Hontiveros started connecting from the outside late in the first quarter.
The PBA game in Davao City for the first time in several years and which draw a sizeable crowd was supported by Phoneix Petroleum of Dennis Uy. (CRAM)
Published in the Sun.Star Davao newspaper on March 07, 2011.
Phoenix fit to play in PBA
THERE'S a big chance for Phoenix Petroleum to gain entry into the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) and become the second oil company in the country to join the premier professional league after Shell.
PBA Commissioner Chito Salud said Phoenix possesses all the requirements needed to be admitted into the PBA but would rather wait for the PBA Board to convene and come out with a decision on the firm's application.
Salud said they have to evaluate if the team applying has the financial capabilities to field and manage a team and to determine how dedicated it is to play in the league.
"I think Phoenix has these," Salud said of the Davao City-based firm moments after the Phoenix-PBA On Tour game between Talk 'N Text and Air21 won by the Tropang Texters at the Holy Cross of Davao Colleges (HCDC) Gym Saturday night.
Phoenix Petroleum president and CEO Dennis Uy earlier confirmed that his company had indeed applied for inclusion into the PBA.
Uy said he had already talked with the management of Barako Bull, the team whose franchise Phoenix is acquiring to get into the PBA.
Reports said Phoenix is close to purchasing the Barako franchise for an undisclosed amount. After its acquisition of the Barako franchise, all Phoenix has to get is the approval of the PBA Board.
"It's now up to the PBA Board. I don't want to speculate. We just have to wait," Uy said.
Salud confirmed that the board is indeed convening this month to discuss the Phoenix application.
PBA media bureau chief Willy Marcial earlier said the board will meet on March 15 with the the oil company's application on top of the agenda.
"By March 15 we will know the decision of the board," Marcial said.
Phoenix Petroleum is a big ally of the PBA, having supported the league's road games for years now, including the Air21-Talk 'N Text Davao showdown Saturday.
Published in the Sun.Star Davao newspaper on March 07, 2011.
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