NEWS

Phone Pals waltz to 3rd straight win; Aces lose third game
by Tito Talao
September 21, 2001

The Talk 'N Text Phone Pals streaked to their third straight win, outlasting the Alaska Aces, 87-84, last September 21 in the PBA Governor's Cup at the Amanita Coliseum.

Except for some static cracking down the stretch after import Brandon Williams and Alaska forward Ali Peek were slapped technicals and Williams committed a crucial turnover, the line towards Talk 'N Text's unblemished run came loud and clear.

The Aces, on the other hand, fell to 0-3 and are in danger of matching a four-game losing run in the middle of last conference's Commissioner's Cup.

Alaska stayed with Talk 'N Text to the critical end, with Kenneth Duremdes draining a three-point shot to put the Aces within 84-86. Williams then turned the ball over and Alaska had the potential game-tying or game winning basket in its possession.

Don Allado passed up on a long corner jumper, giving up the ball to Duremdes, who came free from top-of-the-key but decided to take the hoop and then at the last minute kicked it out to Peek from 17 feet.

Norman Gonzales, who along with Gilbert Demape came off the bench to produce crucial numbers offensively and defensively rushed out to contest the shot and Peek wavered a little before taking a shot that fell short.

Victor Pablo grabbed the rebound and was fouled. But he missed his first free throw and the Aces had one last gasp to send the game into overtime.

Duremdes, this time, took on the responsibility, launching a leaning three-pointer that sailed atop the rim and rolled out at the buzzer.

Trash-talking between Williams and Peek heated up the closing of the game as both were assessed technicals.

The Aces made a desperate run to turn the game around, but the Phone Pals hung on despite the absence of Asi Taulava, who fouled out with less than two minutes remaining.

Talk 'N Text 87 - Taulava 24, Williams 24, Demape 14, Codinera 6, Pablo 6, Gonzales 6, Camaso 3, Cui 2, Fran 2, Ejercito 0

Alaska 81 - Duremdes 28, Peek 19, Allado 13, Chambers 9, Santos 4, Ordonio 4, Evans 3, Wallkvist 2, Gahol 2.

Quarters : 16-24; 40-36; 59-54; 87-84