"Game 1 is an indication of how close this series would be," said Tangquincen after the Kings outlasted the Bulls in overtime, 105-100.

The Kings did it despite playing without injured center Andy Seigle and having import Chris Porter for only 21 minutes because of foul trouble. Porter only had eight points and 10 rebounds before fouling out with 3:16 to go in the fourth period.

"Sa dami ba naman ng sumusuporta sa amin, pag hindi pa kami ginanahang lumaban kami na ang may problema," said Tangquincen.

The gate attendance topped the 10,000 mark for the first time this year as the Kings played their first game in 2006.

Bulls coach Yeng Guiao couldn’t help but agree.

"When you’re up against them (Kings), it’s like playing away from your home court," he said.

The Kings will try to take a 2-0 lead in their best-of-seven semifinal series in the San Mig Coffee 2005-06 PBA Fiesta Conference today at the Araneta Coliseum.

The Purefoods Chunkee Giants gun for the same advantage when they face the game Air21 Express in the nightcap.

Meanwhile, the PBA Office of the Commissioner slapped a total of R35,800 fines to the coaches and players involved in a near-bench clearing melee during the game between Air21 and Purefoods last Sunday.

Hardest hit was Air21 coach Bo Perasol who was slapped a R10,000 fine for entering the court during the heated altercation between Purefoods’ Marquin Chandler and Air21 gunner Gary David. Perasol got the biggest fine because it was his second offense.

Chandler, who appeared that he’s chokingDavid at the sideline before a horrified crowd, was assessed R9,600, including R4,600 for committing his 5th technical foul, while David was slapped R6,600 fine, including R1,600 for his second technical foul. Both players were slapped R5,000 each for flagrant foul-penalty one.

Wynee Arboleda, who also entered the court in his effort to help David, was assessed R4,600 fine since it was fifth technical foul.

Just like Perasol, Purefoods coach Ryan Gregorio was likewise fined R5,000 for entering the court.

The decision to fine the coaches and the three players came after Commissioner Noli Eala together with Perry Martinez of Technical Group and Rickie Santos of Operations Group reviewed all available video tapes including the PBA training tape and interviewed the personalities involved plus the testimonies of the three referees — Mario Montiel, Joey Calungcaguin and Robert Ting.

"It was quite unfortunate that television footage only showed the part wherein Chandler was holding on Mr. David," said Eala.

The PBA training tape that was used shows the opposite angles of TV coverage which caught the incident in its entirety just as David went down on the floor, his leg going up and accidentally hit Chandler which was construed by the latter as a kick. It also further shows that David raised his left arm in a swinging motion that was construed as such by Chandler.