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HAVING a good reinforcement is considered a lucky
thing in the import-laced PBA Fiesta Cup. Having the locals stepping
up to provide ample support is an added blessing.
That’s why Talk’N Text coach
Derick Pumaren has started shedding his grim demeanor and is now
sporting a more relaxed mien, after seeing more consistent
contributions by his locals in the week that was.
And none took the lead role more
reliably than Mark Cardona and Don Carlos Allado, who were adjudged
the PBA Press Corps’ Accel-TNT Co-Players of the Week forthe
period April 16 to 22.
Although he was sharing the
honor, Cardona still emerged with his fourth such citation for the
season after having been feted thrice in the season-opening
Philippine Cup.
The spunky sophomore and the
wizened veteran ably backstopped do-it-all import JJ Sullinger,
helping the Phone Pals rack up back-to-back wins for the first time
in the conference and push them closer to the leaders.
With those victories over Sta.
Lucia Realty and erstwhile co-leader Alaska, Pumaren seems to have
found the sustaining fire that was so lacking from his locals in the
tournament’s early goings.
“Hopefully, the team has woken
up for good. Hindi na pwedeng pa-easy-easy. The playoffs are now
just around the corner,” Pumaren has said after his team improved
to an even 5-5 win-loss record.
“These back-to-back wins could
well boost our morale. It firmed up our hold of fifth place, putting
us in good contention for an outright quarterfinals slot,” he
added.
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