Throwing a suffocating defensive blanket on Monroe, the Tigers led from start to finish in a 97-74 victory Wednesday night that sent the Coffee Masters crashing back to earth in the Fiesta Conference at the Araneta Coliseum in Cubao, Quezon City.
James Penny was the imposing presence on both ends for the Tigers, finishing with 27 points, 13 rebounds and missing a triple double by just three assists as he outplayed the sleepy-eyed Monroe.
The Barako Coffee import, the big difference in his team’s 97-93 decision of Sta. Lucia Realty last Sunday, was challenged up high by the Coca-Cola defense, and by a double team every time he went beyond the free throw line.
He finished with just three free throws in the first half and 25 for the game.
“I challenged James (Penny) and told him that everyone was not talking about him (but of Monroe),” Perasol later said. “But he proved (tonight) that he is one of the best (imports here).”
Monroe, who debuted with 39 points and 11 rebounds in 39 minutes, highlighted his 22 points in the second half with a triple at the halfway mark of the third that shoved the Coffee Masters to within four.
But Penny took over again, even beating the third quarter horn with a triple of his own which made it 65-53.
“Our defense was planned on minimizing Monroe. We got him out of his rhythm in the first half,” Perasol explained.
In the second game, San Miguel Beer opened up its title defense on a bright note, holding off Air21, 92-87.
The scores:
First Game
COCA-COLA 97—Penny 27, David 17, Taulava 11, Gonzales 9, Lanete 6, Rizada 6, Espino 6, Macapagal 5, Bono 4, Allera 3, Cruz 2, Ross 1, Rodriguez 0.
BARAKO COFFEE 74—Monroe 25, Alonzo 10, Vergara 6, Aljamal 6, Dimaunahan 6, Wainwright 6, Najorda 5, Menor 4, Duncil 4, Reyes 2, Gaco 0, Faundo 0, Hubalde 0.
Quarters: 20-12, 42-27, 65-53, 97-74
Second Game
SAN MIGUEL 92—Freeman 23, Washington 19, Cabagnot 13, Pena 12, Pennisi 9, Santos 4, Hontiveros 4, Yeo 3, Miranda 3, Villanueva 2, Ildefonso 0.
AIR21 87—Young 23, Buenafe 13, Belga 12, Matias 9, Ritualo 8, Kramer 4, Sharma 4, Alvarez 4, Gonzales 4, Williams 3, Cortez 3, Billones 0, Yee 0.
Quarters: 21-20, 44-39, 70-62, 92-87
David Mikael Taclino
Inyu Web Development and Design
Creative Writer
