Game today:
(Puerto Princesa City)
4:30 p.m.- Magnolia vs. Talk 'N Text

The Coca-Cola Tigers limited the Welcoat Dragons to just two points in the final 1:54 to escape with a 94-87 win last night in the PBA Fiesta Cup at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.

The Tigers needed a big fourth quarter showing from Jason Dixon before they could terminate the pesky Dragons, who erased a 16-point deficit in the final period.

Dixon unloaded 14 of his 26 points in the fourth, powering the Tigers' victory that installed them at the solo top spot of the standings with an 8-4 (win-loss) record.

Dixon, who tallied 36 points, 10 rebounds and four assists in Coke's previous 98-96 win over Welcoat last April 9, also had 18 boards and five assists.

The Dragons jumped to an early 18-13 lead but the Tigers roared back with a mighty run and took a 28-17 lead.

Coke was in control from that point on and went on to post its biggest lead of 16 points, 77-61, in the final 9:15 of the game.

The Dragons, however, came back to life and gave the Tigers a huge scare when they tied the contest at 85-all with 1:54 to go.

The Tigers found a way to recover behind their defense as they ended the game with a decisive 9-2 run.

Coke's second import Donald Copeland and explosive rookie Ronjay Buenafe added 14 each, Alex Cabagnot donated 12 and Asi Taulava was the fifth Tiger in double figures with 10.

Jay-Arr Reyes scored 18 points for the Dragons, who further dropped to the bottom of the standings with their ninth loss in 12 games.

Welcoat imports Marquise Gainous and Corey Santee were only good for a combined 24 points.

Today, the Talk N Text Phone Pals try to break-free from a three-way tie at second place when they battle the Magnolia Beverage Masters at the Puerto Princesa City Coliseum.

Talk N Text share the second place with Red Bull and Air21 with similar 7-5 slates, while the Beverage Masters are at the lower half of the standings with a 5-6 record.

In their first encounter last April 13, Talk N Text nipped Magnolia, 91-86.

BOX SCORES:

COKE (94)- Dixon 26, Buenafe 14, Copeland 14, Cabagnot 12, Taulava 10, Macapagal 9, Calimag 6, Belasco 3.

WELCOAT (87)- Reyes 18, Gainous 13, Wainwright 13, Santee 11, Baguion 8, De Vance 8, Arana 6, Dulay 4, Ibanes 3, Mente 3.