MANILA, Philippines -- Coca-Cola demolished Barako Coffee, 94-74, for an auspicious start in the KFC-Philippine Basketball Association Fiesta Conference Wednesday night at the Araneta Coliseum.
James Penny scored a game-high 27 points but his defense on Coffee Energy Masters import Sammy Monroe spelled the difference to help the Tigers notched their opening game win.
“I told the boys, especially James (Penny), not to get affected by that what’s been said about (Sammy) Monroe,” said Coke mentor Bo Perasol.
“Defensively we really planned how to minimize Monroe, as well as the rest of the team, and we were able to get him out of his rhythm in the first half. Although he (Monroe) managed to score, some of it them not were significant in their game,” he added.
Gary David added 17 points while Asi Taulava chipped in 11 for Coke, which led from start to finish.
Monroe, who scored 39 points in 39 minutes in Barako Coffee’s 97-93 win over Sta. Lucia Realty, managed to finish with 25 markers but held to just 3 points in the opening quarter as Coke set the defensive tone early on him.
Richard Alonzo was the only other Barako Coffee player in double figures in scoring 10 for coach Junel Baculi, whose team dropped to a 1-1.
Beermen halt Express
Defending champion San Miguel Beer opened its title retention bid with a hard-earned 92-87 victory over Air21.
Gabe Freeman finished with 23 points and 19 rebounds for the Beermen, who almost blew a 10-point lead in the last 3 minutes of the game but San Miguel made crucial plays in the end to preserve the win.
SMB was holding an 84-74 lead when the Express, behind the efforts of Ronnie Matias, unloaded a 13-4 blast to close the gap at 87-88 with 1:11 left in the game.
But Anthony Washington hit two free throws off the foul of Keena Young and Arwind Santos blocked Beau Belga’s three-point attempt that led to Alex Cabagnot’s break-away lay-up to peg the final score.
Young led Air21 with 23 points and 21 rebounds.
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