Enforcers breach Final 8, halt Texters
By NELSON BELTRAN
Game today (Legazpi City) 5 p.m. – Rain or Shine vs GlobalPort
The Mahindra Enforcers made a major breakthrough at the expense of league leader TNT KaTropa, claiming a 107-104 victory to secure an outright spot in the PBA Governors Cup Final Eight at the Smart Araneta Coliseum last night.
Assur ing itself of a first pl a y o ff appearance, Mahindra made an emphatic win that only sent shivers to the rest of the field as it brought down the previously unbeaten Texters to likewise bolster their bid for a twice- to- beat edge.
James White came through with 24 points, 10 rebounds, three assists and two steals, KG Canaleta fired away two three-pointers and a total of 13 markers while guards LA Revilla, Paolo Taha and Michael DiGregorio combined for 38 points as Mahindra notched its sixth win in eight starts in the season-ending tourney.
“It’s a new ground for us. We’re very happy for the franchise as we’d never won six games in a conference before,” said Mahindra coach Chris Gavina.
“We’re moving in the right direction. But we want to stay levelheaded, not too high and not too low. We want to stay consistent on what we’re doing day to day,” Gavina also said.
The Enforcers broke free from a three- way logjam at second place with the Barangay Ginebra Kings and the San Miguel Beermen and moved within striking distance of the Texters (6-1).
Their goal is to finish at the Top Four for a twice-to-beat incentive in the quarterfinals.
White, Canaleta, Taha, Revilla and DiGregorio carried much of the load for the Enforcers, negating Jason Castro’s 33-point explosion for the Texters.
Canaleta and Revilla knocked in back-to-back treys, sparking an 11-5 exchange that won it for the Enforcers.
“The willingness to play with another and unselfishness of the guys kicked in. It’s about sheer determination,” said Gavina.
Later in the night, Eugene Phelps delivered 29 points and 26 rebounds while Mark Borboran canned crucial free throws in the closing seconds as Phoenix Fuel outfought NLEX, 95-91, in an overtime grind to move up to seventh place at 3-4.
NO TES : SMB has tapped Mike Singletary as temporary sub to injured AZ Reid. Singletary, who had a previous PBA stint with Barako Bull, flew in yesterday morning. The former Texas Tech stalwart was among six imports that powered Mighty Sports to the championship in the recent Jones Cup in Taipei. The scores: First Game MAHINDRA 107 – White 24, Taha 15, Canaleta 13, Revilla 12, Digregorio 11, Guinto 9, Bagatsing 8, Agovida 4, Jaime 4, Ramos 4, Yee 3, Ballesteros 0, Elorde 0.
TNT KATROPA 104 – Castro 33, Ammons 20, Fonacier 13, Rosario 11, De Ocampo 9, Rosales 5, Williams 4, Reyes 3, Tautuaa 3, Madanly 2, Carey 1, Rosser 0. Quarterscores: 19-23, 51-44, 78-72, 107-104 Second Game PHOENIX 95 – Phelps 29, Baguio 10, Buenafe 9, W.Wilson 9, Urbiztondo 9, Enciso 5, Borboran 5, Cruz 5, Miranda 4, Lanete 4, Lee 2, Caperal 2, Torres 0, Pennisi 0.
NLEX 91 – Walker 23, Alas 16, Taulava 12, Baracael 11, J. Villanueva 7, Monfort 6, E. Villanueva 5, Anthony 4, Lanete 3, Khobuntin 2, Akl 2,
Quarterscores: 11-16, 33-39, 60-64, 84-84, 95-91