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Coca-Cola limits Rain or Shine, 84-73
Written by staff   
Monday, 24 November 2008 02:39

Coca Cola TigersCoca-Cola limited Rain or Shine to its lowest production in the tournament to come away with an 84-73 win Sunday night in the 2008-09 KFC-PBA Philippine Cup at the Cuneta Astrodome.

The Tigers held to just 73 last night and banked on veterans Asi Taulava and Nic Belasco in the closing minutes to nail their second straight win and improve their mark to 5-7.

"Again, it's our defense that led us to the victory," said Coke interim coach Kenneth Duremdes who drew double figures in scoring from five players.

"In our last game against Purefoods, we held them down to 33 in the first half. This time, against the high-scoring Rain or Shine, we limited them to just 35 in the first half. It's really team defense," Duremdes added.

Taulava netted 16 points and 10 rebounds while Alex Cabagnot also dished out a double-double performance with 15 markers and 11 assists.

Cabagnot was actually a doubtful starter in the game due to a hamstring injury but he decided to play to help the cause of the team.

"He's a true professional," said Duremdes of Cabagnot. "His will to win helped us tonight and his decision-making in the crucial moments was also a key factor in this win."

The 73-point out of the Elasto Painters was their lowest in 12 games as the team was averaging 96 prior the match.

Solomon Mercado and Mark Isip each had 12 points for Rain or Shine, which remains in the middle of the team standings with 6-6 slate.

The Elasto Painters have yet to beat Coke in their last six meetings dating back last season.

The wards of coach Caloy Garcia seemed to finally end the streak as they stormed back from a double-digit deficit in the third quarter and tied the game for the last time at 64-all with 7:54 left in the game.

The Tigers however responded with a decisive 12-1 burst capped by Ronjay Buenafe's three-pointer at deep left corner to push their lead back to 76-65, 3:33 remaining.

Rain or Shine won't quit just yet as Jirez Ibanes hit a triple and Mercado reeled five points to threaten at 73-76, 2:04 left in the game. But that proved to be the Elasto Painters' last stance in the game.

Taulava scored on inside the shaded lane and after Mercado muffed his three-point attempt in the next play, Belasco delivered the dagger with a three-pointer to seal the win for the Tigers, 81-73, 1:44 left in the contest.

Belasco had 13 points while Buenafe and Mark Telan contributed 11 each for the Tigersm who fill face Ginebra next.

"Importante ang bawat game ngayon dahil dikit-dikit sa team standings," said Duremdes. "One or two losses lang, bigla ka na lang bababa."

Rob Wainwright scored 10 points against his former team.

A big disappointment for Elasto Painters was top pick Gabe Norwood who was held down to just three points on 1-of-7 shooting from the field. But Norwood had eight feeds in the game.
 
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