Panthers rip undermanned Turbochargers for 1st win

Antipolo — Pop Cola claimed its first victory since claiming third-place honors in the PBA All-Filipino Cup at the expense of Shell last night, doing it in style as the Panthers poured on the Turbochargers all the frustrations of their two-game losing stand in the mid-season tournament.

The Panthers were all business at the start and went on to break into the win-column of the Commissioner’s Cup with a 75-68 drubbing of the Turbochargers at the Ynares Sports Center here.

Aching to get on track following losses to the Sta. Lucia Realtors and the Alaska Aces, the Panthers jumped the gun on the Turbochargers and imposed their will on their hapless rivals until they themselves slowed down in the fourth quarter with the victory already at hand.

So amazing was Pop Cola at the outset of the game that it started with a 15-0 run and scoring 24 of the first 27 points of the contest.

But the Panthers lowered their guard in the closing minutes, allowing the Turbochargers to make a run at their lead.

Though they found their old winning form, Pop Cola coach Chot Reyes expressed reservations on their ability to compete with formidable teams like San Miguel and Alaska Milk.

"I felt the only good thing that happened in this game for us is that we won the game," said Reyes. "I think we’re still in search of ways we can play in a level that we can compete with strong teams like Alaska and San Miguel."

Reyes wasn’t convinced of Pop Cola’s win last night with a Shell side short-handed with the absence of key players Benjie Paras and Gerry Esplana.

The Turbochargers were further depleted in the second half with Rob Wainwright injuring his right knee.

Actually, Pop Cola led from start to finish and allowed Shell to come closest at 67-73 with only a little over a minute left in the contest.

Jason Sasser scored 31 points on 53 percent shooting from the floor and also tallied 17 rebounds and three assists for Pop Cola. He totally outclassed Juaquin Hawkins who could only get 18 points, seven rebounds, two assists and the same number of steals.

The whole Pop Cola team shot only 35 percent from the floor but Shell was even worse hitting on a 34-percent clip. The Panthers dominated the boards, pulling down 59 rebounds to the Turbochargers’ 42.