PBA: Singson stars in Taulava-less Tigers' 93-79 win

Veteran Dale Singson laid the foundation for Coca-Cola’s victory in the KFC-Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Philippine Cup Friday night before leaving the game with a pulled hamstring.

The former University of Santo Tomas Growling Tiger, now playing for the Coke Tigers in the pro league, scored five straight points in an 11-0 run to cap the Kenneth Duremdes-coached team’s 93-79 win over the Purefoods TJ Giants at the Araneta Coliseum. The victory ended Coke’s three-game slump, its worst start in franchise history since joining the league in 2002. That five-point outburst was Singson’s only points in the game but that crucial offensive blast highlighted the Tigers’ big comeback from a 15-point third quarter deficit. Norman Gonzales had 17 points – 12 in the third period – and Dennis Espino added 15 as Coca-Cola won its first game in four outings in the All-Filipino conference. “We were down all the way but came back fighting. The players just refused to lose. The experience of Dale was a key factor and hopefully, this win can lead to better things," said Duremdes. The count was tied at the half when Purefoods unleashed a 22-7 blast capped by a KG Canaleta triple giving the Giants a 58-43 spread with 6:22 left. But the Tigers quickly retaliated, coming to within 62-59 on two free throws before settling for a 67-61 deficit going into the fourth quarter. After Peter June Simon put the Giants up at 69-61, the Tigers unleashed a mini 6-2 spurt to threaten at 71-69 before setting lose that game-turning 11-0 assault after Don Allado made it 73-69. Singson hit a triple in that stretch and Wesley Gonzales, too, connected from rainbow country, as the Tigers grabbed an 80-73 advantage with 4:18 left. Purefoods threatened once again at 82-78, but Alex Cabagnot beat the shotclock with a triple (85-78) with 1:50 remaining before Wesley Gonzales again hit another open three with 47.4 seconds left to play as Coca-Cola sealed the outcome, 88-79. James Yap led Purefoods with 15 points and Kerby Raymundo added 13. Canaleta and rookie Rico Maierhofer combined for 23 points. Coca-Cola won despite missing the services of Taulava for the second straight game due to a sprained right ankle. – GMANews.TV