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THE Coca-Cola Tigers celebrated the debut of import Donald Copeland
with an impressive 102-80 win over erstwhile solo leader Red Bull on
Friday in the 2008 Smart-PBA Fiesta Conference at the Ynares Sports
Center in Antipolo City.
The 5’9 Copeland, who replaced George Gervin
Jr., finished with 14 points as the Tigers avenged their 75-82 loss
to the Barakos on April 30.
Import Jason Dixon topscored with 33 points, 16
rebounds and four steals for the Tigers, who gained a share of the
lead with their victims and idle Talk ‘N Text Phone Pals.
Three Tigers also turned in double-digit scores.
Asi Taulava chipped in 12 followed by Mark Macapagal with 11 and
rookie Ronjay Buenafe with 10.
Cyrus Baguio led Red Bull with 21 points while
Adam Parada and Mike Pinissi added 20 and 11, respectively.
The Barakos led at the half 48-41 before the
Tigers held an 11-3 run to wrest the lead 62-60. Macapagal then
scored eight straight points, including a buzzer-beating 3-pointer,
to give Coca-Cola a 70-83 advantage, going into the final quarter.
Meanwhile, Air21 eyes its third win when it
battles Barangay Ginebra Saturday at the Zamboanga City Sports
Center.
The Express, bannered by import Steven Thomas,
defeated the Gin Kings 97-88 on May 7.
Scores:
COCA-COLA 102—Dixon 33, Copeland 14, Taulava
12, Macapagal 11, Buenafe 10, Catli 8, Cabagnot 7, Belasco 7,
Dimaunahan 0, Telan 0.
RED BULL 80—Baguio 21, Parada 20, Pennisi 11,
Alvarez 8, Duncil7, Adriano 7, Sharma 4, Cruz 2, Andaya 0, Najorda
0, Ybanez 0, Robinson 0.
Quarters: 22-32, 41-48, 70-63, 102-80
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