PBA: Coca-Cola nips Giants, gains share of lead with Red Bull

April 5, 2008

Jason Dixon struck for the big play in crunch time as Coca-Cola slipped past Purefoods, 109-108, for its second straight win in the 2008 Smart-PBA Fiesta Conference at the Olivare Sports Center last night.

Dixon scored the game-winning basket as he helped the Tigers put away the Giants and wrap up a tightly-fought contest for what could be a fitting follow-up for their 87-79 conquest of Talk ‘N Text in Panabo City last March 29.

With the game on the line and the Tigers trailing by a point, 107-108, the 6-foot-10 Dixon came to his team’s rescue, effectively beating a highly-touted Darius Rice in a rebound battle following a missed Alex Cabagnot jumper from top of the key.

Dixon converted on the follow up basket and drew a foul in the process from his Purefoods counterpart as Coke regained the upperhand.

Dixon then deliberately missed on the bonus free throw to waste away the remaining 1.4 seconds of the tightly-fought ballgame, to send the Giants reeling to their first loss after a big win over sister team Magnolia in double overtime last Wednesday.

The 35-year-old import, fresh from a stint with the Guandong squad in the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) was an impressive 18-of-20 from the field to finish with 37 points and 12 rebounds.

The cousin of famed NBA shooter Glenn Rice debuted in PBA on high note, scoring 56 points in a 127-126 double overtime win of the Giants over Magnolia.

Their first loss in two outings pushed Purefoods into a three-way tie for third place with Talk ‘N Text and Air21.

It somehow spoiled too, what could have been an advance birthday gift to coach Ryan Gregorio, who turns 36 on April 7.

The Giants have nothing to blame but themselves.

Playing a Coca-Cola five orphaned by its other import — Calvin Cage (fractured right ankle), Purefoods wasted what appeared to be a commanding 74-62 lead in the third period.

The Tigers finally caught up with the Giants at 88 on an Asi Taulava basket and then took the upperhand following a long rally, 90-88, with Nick Belascoconverting.

A booming trey by Rice in the midst of his offensive onslaught tied the game for the last time, 105-all, with 31 seconds left and paved the way for the thrilling finish.

The scores

Coke (109) – Dixon 37, Taulava 20, Macapagal 14, Belasco 10, Cabagnot 9, Telan 7, Buenafe 7, Dimaunahan 3, Catli 2, Misolas 0.

Purefoods (108) – Rice 37, J Yap 22, Raymundo 19, Villanueva 11, Simon 10, R Yap 3, Lanete 3, Yee 3, Salvador 0.

Quarterscores: 24-27; 50-58; 80-83; 109-108.

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