TnT BLASTS AIR 21

Pals show superb form coming from US jaunt
Philippine Basketball Association website
Tuesday, 11 September 2007

The Talk n Text Phone Pals, showing up with an intact lineup toughened up by a two-week training in the United States, clobbered the young Air21 team, 137-126, in the second play date of the 2007 PBA pre-season tournament at the Fresnedi Gym in Muntinlupa Monday night.

Returning mainstays Jimmy Alapag, Renren Ritualo and Asi Taulava each pumped in at least 19 points to lead the balance Talk n Text scoring against the Express who leaned heavily on ace forwards Arwind Santos and KG Canaleta.

Egay Billones, Don Allado, Harvey Carey and Yancy de Ocampo also scored in double figures for the TnT squad which decided not to tinker with its team makeup following a second-place finish in the recent Fiesta Cup.

Only Yousif Aljamal will be the new face in the team, taking over from Vic Pablo, as the league re-opens shop on Oct. 14 at the Araneta Coliseum. Aljamal, however, is likely to miss the entire pre-season event as he’s still completing his stint with the San Beda Red Lions in the NCAA.

Air21, with an overhauled lineup, showed little cohesion in its first game in the pre-season event.

The Express jumped the gun on the Pals but slowly faded away, falling behind by as many as 24 points.

Starting out flat, coach Derrick Pumaren ensued for an early timeout and the Pals responded to the call, erasing a 13-27 deficit as they seized the upperhand at 33-32 with 2:14 left in the opening quarter.

After closing the first period at 39-37, the Pals stepped up their attack in the second period and went on to take the half at 75-61. Talk n Text had its biggest lead in the first half at 72-53.

"So far, so good. We had a good training in the US and we are keen on working harder as we resume our training back home," said Pumaren.

"The team is upbeat especially on the return of Asi Taulava, Jimmy Alapag and Renren Ritualo from the national team," Pumaren added. (NC)