San Mig survives Pharex

People's Journal
October 21, 2007

Games Tuesday
(EAC gym, Manila)
2 p.m. -- Harbour Centre vs RP team
4 p.m. -- Hapee Toothpaste vs Mail & More

NCAA MVP Kelvin dela Pena put a fitting show to the opening of the 2008 PBL V-Go Extreme Energy Drink Cup as he powered San Mig Coffee to a thrilling 68-65 victory over newcomer Pharex yesterday at The Arena in San Juan.

Playing with more maturity and sharpness this time, the former Mapua stalwart scored eight of his 11 points in the payoff period, including a tough 15-foot jumper to snatch the win from the newcomer squad.

“It was a tough win and I have to credit the boys, especially Kevin for the clutch baskets in the fourth,”said coach Koy Banal. “He was tentative in the first half but he stepped up big in the fourth.”

After trailing for most of the game, felling behind by as much as 15 points in the fourth, the Medics rallied behind the red-hot shooting of do-it-all forward Ronnie Matias.

Matias’ back-to-back baskets gave Pharex a ray of hope of winning its maiden game but dela Pena nailed a jumper that enabled the Coffee Kings to regain the upperhand, 66-65, with only 18 ticks left.

Pharex’s slim hope to turn the game around evaporated into thin air as Emer Oreta, perhaps the most veteran in the team, made an inbound error that brough Al Magpayo to the stripes with 12 seconds remaining.

The 6-foot-5 Magpayo flubbed both his free throws but Pharex’s loose defensive alignment enabled Glen Bolocon to grab the offensive rebound. He was immediately fouled but he nonetheless made his free throws only 11 ticks left.

The Medics had one last chance to send the game into overtime but they failed to make one -- no thanks to San Mig Coffee’s pesky defense.

Aside from the unveiling of the new PBL logo, the festive opening ceremonies of the season-opening tournament was highlighted by the tribute to the members of the Philippine Special Olympic team which won four gold medals in the recent Shanghai Games in China.

Party-like atmosphere pervaded the arena prior to the opening game between San Mig Coffee and Pharex as one of the country’s top bands -- Protein Shake -- and several artists of TV coveror, Solar Sports, belted out some of their hit songs.

Bonbon Custodio, who was super hot in the first half, topscored for the Coffee Kings with 22 points while Bolocon adde d 11.

The 6-foot-4 Matias scored a career 27 points, the bulk of them coming in the fourth where he scored 14 points.

With players of both sides still adjusting to each other, they played tentatively early in the game, missing several open shots. But when they got into the offensive groove, they entertained the crowd with dazzling moves, usually seen only in college basketball.

The scores:
San Mig (68) -- Custodio 22, Dela Pena 11, Bolocon 10, Pascual 6, Magpayo 6, Dalafu 4, Arao 3, Raneses 2, Saldua 2, Del Rosario 2, Sorongon 0, Angeles 0.
Pharex (65) -- Matias 27, Co 12, Espiritu 6, Allera 5, De Guzman 4, Alfad 4, Oreta 3, Burtscher 2, Yambao 2, Gerilla 0, Soriano 0.
Quarterscores: 19-11; 37024; 52-42; 68-65.