Playing without a reinforcement, the Coca-Cola Tigers ran over the Talk ‘N Text Phone Pals, 102-82 and checked a four-game slide in the Gran Matador PBA Fiesta Conference elimination at the Araneta Coliseum.

Aside from improving their mark to 2-4, the Tigers also avoided dropping five straight games in franchise history.

"The players made this win possible. They played with the same level of intensity and determination from start to finish," said winning coach Eric Altamirano.

"Winning without an import against a very strong team is definitely a big boost to our campaign."

Tigers import Bakari Hendrix, impressive in his debut with 43 points in a loss to Shell Turbo Chargers, strained a ligament during practice.

The Tigers put Hendrix on the injured list and will parade 7-1 Darryl Johns on Friday against Red Bull.

The Tigers led by as many as 68-36 in the third period and the closest the Phone Pals could get was at 17.

Noel Felix, hardly a factor in the first half with only two points in 21 minutes, drained a three-pointer to pull his team within 63-80, 9:21 left. Phone Pal playmaker Felix Belano made it 65-82, 30 seconds later.

But Ali Peek scored four and Rafi Reavis completed a three-point play to douse the Phone Pals rally.

John Arigo fueled the Tigers sizzling start with 15 first quarter points on 4-of-6 shooting from the field and 6-of-6 from the line.

With Arigo anchoring their offense, the Tigers closed out the first frame with a 23-12 run to take a 33-23 lead.

Gang rebounding also helped the Tigers’ cause in the first half, plucking 29 rebounds against 12 by the Phone Pals. William Antonio, a seldom-used wingman, grabbed 10 before the turn.

Meanwhile, Ginebra San Miguel raced past FedEx, 102-88, in the out-of-town match held in Zamboanga City last Saturday.

It was the third win in five starts for the defending champions Gin Kings while the loss was the third for the Express against two victories.