mysterious_princess

Jameel Watkins provided a well-set pick, Olsen Racela dished out a timely throw-in and Lordy Tugade came out of the screen and made the winning basket as the Beverage Masters nosed out the Talk ‘N Text Phone Pals, 84-82, in a road showcase in the 2008 Smart PBA Fiesta Conference at the Puerto Princesa Coliseum.

Watkins, Racela and Tugade conspired for the clutch play, capping Magnolia’s dramatic come-from-behind victory in this out-of-town setto sponsored by Hanes.

Among the VIPs in the sideline was Gov. Joel Reyes who’s pitching for the inclusion of the Puerto Princesa’s underground river in the new wonders of the world.

Talk ‘N Text made an attempt to salvage the game but Aaron McGhee missed a desperation three-point try at the buzzer.

Magnolia, thus, again hit the .500 mark with six wins against six losses while Talk ‘N Text remained on a skid suffering a third straight loss and its sixth in 13 games in all.

The Beverage Masters showed great courage and character, winning the game minus injured key players Danny Seigle and Dondon Hontiveros.

Tugade poured in 21 of his personal conference-high 29 points in the second half and the Beverage Masters completed an epic comeback from an 18-point deficit in the second
period.

McGhee slammed home right in front of Watkins as the Phone Pals erected that 18-point spread at 40-22 before settling for a 44-32 margin at the half.

McGhee and his teammates, however, floundered in the final 24 minutes of the game, allowing the Beverage Masters to duplicate their 91-86 victory in their previous tiff in this double-round eliminations.

Watkins threw his weight around in the third period as the Beverage Masters made key runs to seize the lead at 62-61 at the end of the third period.

The former Georgetown Hoya finished with a huge double-double game with 21 points and 23 rebounds to McGhee’s 10 points.

The Phone Pals waged a fight with Jimmy Alapag, Renren Ritualo, Donbel Belano and Cardona providing McGhee the needed help.

Belano fired 10 points and had a defensive gem paving the way for a McGhee basket that tied the count at 82-all with 4.8 seconds to go.
<!–[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]–><!–[endif]–>

Magnolia, however, won’t be denied of the win enabling the team to catch up with Alaska Milk at sixth place. (NC)

The scores:
<!–[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]–>

Magnolia 84 – Tugade 29, Watkins 21, Cortez 9, Villanueva 8, Ildefonso 6, Racela 5, Pena 4, Gonzales 2, Pingris 0, Calaguio 0.
<!–[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]–><!–[endif]–>

Talk ‘N Text 82 – Alapag 14, Ritualo 14, Cardona 12, McGhee 10, Belano 10, Peek 8, Washington 6, Carey 5, Allado 3, De Ocampo 0.
<!–[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]–><!–[endif]–>