PBA: Tigers devour Realtors to boost playoff chances

Coca-Cola didn’t take a chance and proceeded to dismantle Sta. Lucia, 100-84, as the Tigers lived for another day in the PBA Fiesta Cup wild card playoffs Sunday at the Big Dome. Gary David came through with a game-high 32 points, nine of them in a key third-quarter breakaway. He had nine more in a rally-quelling run in the final period that finally took the fight out of the Realtors.

Import John Williamson complemented David with 30 points and 14 rebounds to help the Tigers moved to within arm’s reach of advancing to the best-of-five quarterfinals. But Coca-Cola coach Bo Perasol is not in a mood to celebrate. “Winning is not something we want to celebrate now," he said. “I have to give it to Gary (David). Sometimes, he gets erratic, but you cannot question his desire." Averaging 20.5 points per game, David scored 18 in the second half, nine of them when the Tigers outscored the Realtors, 26-17, in the third quarter. David, then, added nine more in an 11-4 run that fended off the comeback hopes of the Realtors, who came to within 82-76 after trailing by as many as 75-57. The winner of the final wild card match on Wednesday advances to the quarterfinals against Derby Ace starting on Friday. The Tigers were in a similar situation in the last Philippine Cup, but came a win short of qualifying in the quarterfinals after being ousted by Rain or Shine. “We were one win away last conference, so the only way we could surpass our expectations is for us to make it to the quarterfinals," added Perasol. The loss formally ended Sta. Lucia’s season, one which saw the franchise finished with a 5-14 card in the conference and 15-23 overall. The season also marked one of the awful campaigns in the Realtors’ rich, winning tradition -- one that saw them trading away key players from their championship team three years ago. Among those notable cagers who were traded were former Most Valuable Kelly Williams, 2008 Rookie of the Year Ryan Reyes, spitfire guard Joseph Yeo, cerebral quarterback Denok Miranda and veteran slotman Dennis Espino. The Realtors’ future is likewise in a cloud of doubt as rumors continue to surround the team that this may be the franchise’s final season in the league. The Realtors entered the league in 1993 when it acquired the Presto franchise owned by business tycoon John Gokongwei. Reportedly, negotiations are being worked out with prospective team buyer Meralco. Anthony Johnson capped his final game in a Sta. Lucia uniform with 20 points, his lowest output this conference. He shot a conference-low 30.2 percent from the field, going 26-of-86. The Realtors were only in the game in the first half, but never able to recover when Coca-Cola unleashed a 15-3 run at the start of the third quarter, turning a shaky 45-40 halftime lead into a commanding 60-43 bulge. This developed as Alaska coach Tim Cone on Sunday confirmed that the Aces have acquired the services of Topex Robinson, the pesky and tough player, who suited up for Red Bull and Purefoods. Robinson last played for Purefoods in the 2009-10 Fiesta Conference. He will see action for the first time this season when the Aces begin their quarterfinals series against Ginebra on Friday. - RCJ, GMANews.TV