Mark Telan, Yancy de Ocampo and Willie Miller delivered at crunch time as the Phone Pals overcame a 17-point deficit and the ouster of Felix, stunning the Aces and their own new import Dickey Simpkins, 97-92, before a big crowd at the Xavier University gym.
Felix, a product of Fresno State, fouled out with 5:27 left to play, but not after putting in sterling exploits that helped the Pals wipe out a 54-71 deficit and tie the count at 73-all.
With Felix gone, Telan, De Ocampo and Miller took over, clinching the Pals’ third win in four starts.
The Aces suffered their fourth defeat against a lone win, blowing away a solid game they dished out in the first three quarters of play.
Meanwhile, San Miguel Beer seeks to regain the solo lead as it plays its first game in nearly two weeks versus Shell at the resumption of action at the Araneta Coliseum today.
The Beermen, who share the lead with the Purefoods Hotdogs with identical 4-1 win-loss records, deal with the Shell squad fired up by a 109-96 win over Coca-Cola only last Wednesday.
The Beermen and the Turbochargers clash at 4:45 p.m. preceding the 7:35 p.m. setto between the Red Bull Barako Thunder and the Sta. Lucia Realtors.