Tigers break long losing run, foil Whoppers

MANILA, Philippines - Coca-Cola operated on a fluid offensive game as it trounced Burger King, 106-94, last night to keep its flickering playoff hopes alive in the KFC PBA Philippine Cup at the Araneta Coliseum.

Larry Rodriguez unloaded 21 points to match his career-high while Fil-Am Alex Cabagnot had 18 points and a career-tying 13 assists as the Tigers snapped out of an eight-game slide to notch their second win in 13 games.

Mark Macapagal, RJ Rizada, Asi Taulava and Ricky Calimag added 16, 14, 12 and 10 points, respectively, to help the struggling Tigers revive their playoff chances.

San Miguel Beer survived a ferocious endgame charge by Purefoods TJ Hotdogs as it hacked out an 87-80 victory last night to remain in second place with a 10-3 card behind pacesetting Alaska (10-1).

Dondon Hontiveros and Arwind Santos each fired 18 points while Denok Miranda and Mike Cortez added 15 and 11 points, respectively, for the Beermen, who led all throughout the contest.

The loss, their fifth against eight wins, dropped the Giants to fifth spot with an 8-5 record behind the Barangay Ginebra Kings and the Talk n Text Tropang Texters, who tote identical 8-4 marks.

Coca-Cola coach Bo Perasol, who took over from Kenneth Duremdes, who was promoted to alternate governor, said the victory should help the Tigers loosen up a bit.

Gary David led Burger King with 23 points but the Whoppers failed to draw solid games from the rest as they reeled to their second straight setback and ninth overall against four wins.

Cabagnot came through with a nine-point binge while Macapagal and Rizada added six points apiece in the opening period when the Tigers wrested control. – Joey Villar