Coke sizzles with local crew, rips Barako

MANILA, Philippines - The Coca-Cola locals rose to the occasion with import J.J. Sullinger taking an early exit on a flagrant infraction, stunning the Barako Bull Energy Boosters, 106-103, in the Motolite PBA Fiesta Conference at the Astrodome last night.

Ronjay Buenafe, Mark Macapagal, Asi Taulava and Alex Cabagnot delivered the goods for Coke, outgunning Scooter McFadgon and his teammates at the finish as the Tigers rebounded from a losing debut against the Barangay Ginebra Kings Wednesday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.

McFadgon had another productive performance that went to naught as Barako Bull suffered a second straight loss following an 83-91 defeat at the hands of Rain or Shine Sunday at the Araneta Coliseum.

“The locals hung on despite the exit of Sullinger. Hopefully, this starts a streak for us. Every game counts as we’re playing only 14 games in the elims in this conference,” said Coca-Cola coach Kenneth Duremdes.

“We struggled in the first half as we couldn’t convert our outside shots. In the second half, the players realized the no-hand check rule is a big advantage to the offensive team. We attack the gap, we attacked their zone,” Duremdes added.

Buenafe, Macapagal and Cabagnot struck on hard drives, allowing the Tigers to overcome a 54-43 halftime deficit. Buenafe finished with 18 points with Macapagal adding 16 and Cabagnot 14.

The Coca-Cola local crew had to fend for themselves as Sullinger was thrown out of the game with 5:48 left in the third quarter for a flagrant foul he incurred for sticking out a foot on a shooting Jeff Chan. Sullinger is also likely to draw a stiff fine for the same infraction.

Sullinger, Coca-Cola’s temporary import while awaiting the arrival of James Penny, had put in a near double-double with 18 points and nine rebounds before his exit.

The Tigers, however, never gave up and instead pressed their bid, moving upfront at 72-65 on a 10-3 run they ignited after Sullinger’s ouster.

The Energy Boosters regained the upper hand at 79-78 at the outset of the final quarter, and the two teams figured in a fierce and furious battle up to the finish.

Shawn Daniels came through with another sterling all-round game with 12 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists while Arwind Santos and Gary David combined for 38 points as Burger King whipped Barangay Ginebra, 110-106, for a second straight win in the second game.

Meanwhile, San Miguel has tapped a new import in Gabe Freeman to take over from Nate Carter who was not able to play Wednesday without release papers from his last team in the French league.

Freeman debuts with the Beermen tomorrow against the Titans.