Beverage Masters subdue Tigers

Magnolia engaged Coca-Cola in a duel of spurts but came up with a big finishing kick to stop the Tigers in their tracks in the 2007-08 PBA Philippine Cup last night at the Araneta Coliseum.

Lordy Tugade presided over a 19-8 closing attack that carried the Beverage Masters to an 89-78 win over the Tigers and avenged their loss the last time out.

The momentum swung like a pendulum with Magnolia taking the initiative at the start, Coca-Cola seizing control in the second period and the two teams continuing to trade runs in the second half.

After the Tigers drew level at 70-all on an 8-1 binge, the Beverage Masters surged ahead to stay on a nine-to-nothing counterattack making it 79-70 with time down to 3:27.

Bouncing back from a 90-93 loss to Purefoods Friday, Magnolia coach Siot Tanquingcen said one of the factors was their adjustment to play more zone defense against Coca-Cola.

Tanquingcen, however, was still far from satisfied though his team has jacked up its win-loss record to 3-1.

“As you could see we’re struggling. I have to admit it’s hard to let all your 12 players play and expect them to get rhythm,” said Tanquingcen.

“One good example is Jonas Villanueva who’s been playing well in practice but I just can’t use him much in the game,” Tanquingcen added.

Also in the “feeling-each-other-out” phase, the Tigers suffered a second defeat in three starts.

Tugade banged in 13 of his game-high 21 points in the fourth quarter, including back-to-back three-pointers that broke Coca-Cola’s back at 85-75 with a little over a minute left to play.

Danny Seigle contributed 12 points and seven rebounds, Rico Villanueva chipped in 11 points, seven rebounds, three assists and two blocks while Danny Ildefonso added 11 points and three rebounds.

Tugade and Ildefonso, who used to be the NU Bulldogs’ one-two punch in the UAAP not too long ago, helped the Beverage Masters post an early double-digit spread at 20-9.

The Sta. Lucia Realtors finally found a way to finish a game after losing their first two games on endgame fold-ups, topping the Talk n Text Phone Pals, 97-87, in the nightcap.

The Tigers, however, worked on a 33-13 assault to race ahead at 42-33.