By noli cruz
PUREFOODS CHUNKEE Coach Ryan Gregorio made no effort to hide his team’s secret in their cluster of big wins.
"All my players are self-motivated," Gregorio exclaimed after the Giants routed the Alaska Aces, 91-73, last night in the Gran Matador Brandy 2006 PBA Philippine Cup at the Araneta Coliseum.
"Our humiliating loss to Talk ’N Text tickled their pride. It inspired them to play harder," he bared, referring to their 22-point loss to the Phone Pals in Hong Kong.
Perhaps, none was more motivated than Eugene Tejada.
The seldom-used forward had his second straight strong game for the Giants with 12 points and six rebounds. He had career highs 16 points and eight rebounds in their 73-56 win over the Barangay Ginebra Kings last Wednesday.
"I told Eugene before the game that it is one thing to have a good game. To play good consistently is another," said Gregorio. "It is a challenge for him to be a consistent contributor."
In the nightcap, Talk ’N Text handed Coca-Cola its first loss after four straight wins, 100-82.
It was only the second win in five starts for the Phone Pals.
With their shots falling like crazy in the first half, the Giants never trailed and took a 46-34 lead at the turn.
They hit 19 of their 31 shots (61.3%) from inside the arc in the first two quarters while the Aces only made 9-of-27 (33.3%).
The Giants started to pull away in the second period behind the inside forays of Marc Pingris.
The third overall pick of the 2004 Rookie Draft scattered 11 points in a 22-7 run by the Giants at the start of the second frame to turn a precarious three-point lead into a 43-25 bulge.
Pingris converted 6-of-7 attempts from the field and 3-of-4 from the stripe in the first half. He also made his presence felt in other departments early, grabbing five rebounds, blocking three shots and picking up two steals before the break.
James Yap presided over the Giants’ rampage in the second half, scoring 18 of his game-high 22 on that stretch. The sophomore guard hit three triples after the turn to keep the Aces at bay.
Aside from the individual offensive brilliance of his wards, Gregorio thought their defense keyed their blowout win.
|
