Sports Event Flashback 1992 : Hurricane Tony Harris hits 105 points in Iloilo City

Sports Event Flashback : Hurricane Tony Harris hits (105 points ) Iloilo City 

Source : Assorted Magazines (PBA Archives Collections)

Source :  Sports Weekly Magazine Dated October 16 1992

EVERYBODY figured that Michael Hackett's 103 points established back in November 21, 1985 was unbreakable, especially if one considers the fact that the Ginebra import logged these numbers against a very "obliging" opponent that Great Taste was that night. The record was set during a best-offive tussle for third place between the Gins and Coffeemakers. Great Taste, having lost the first two games, seemed to have lost also its desire to prolong the agony. Thus, the Coffeemakers offered no resistance whatsoever against Hackett. In fact, aside from Hackett, Arnie Tuadles, who was then playing for Ginebra, also recorded 23 assists -the most by a local until this year when Seven-Up sophomore Eugene Quilban tallied 27. And so with the games developing into a more physical, faster and more furious genre, people naturally expected Hackett's record to last till doomsday. But Tony Harris, the irrepressible import of the Swift Mighty Meaty Hotdogs, had other ideas it seems. He definitely is an optimist who feels that records are meant to be broken. Harris took a trip down South and led the Mighty Meaties to a pair of victories pushing Swift into the semifinal round of Compared to Hackett, Harris definitely had to bleed and work hard for every point he scored. Ginebra made sure of this. As early as five seconds into the contest, Harris had already made acquaintance with the floor of the University of San Agustin Gym as he was decked by Ginebra sophomore Anthony Poblador. In fact, the first quarter went agonizingly slow and lasted for about 50 minutes because of the many ceasefires due to fouls, warnings, technicals and delays on account of verbal tussles. "We knew we were going to war!" said Harris. He added, "It's a good thing we came prepared." For the record, Harris tallied 29 points in the first quarter, 30 in the second, 27 in the third and 19 in the fourth. His combined 59 points in the first half is an all-time record, too, eclipsing the 55 scored by Hackett in 1985. In logging 105 points, Harris made six triples, 21 field goals and 45 free throws. His 45 charities is another record erasing the 30 made by Carlos Briggs, another Añejo player, on November 5, 1989. Harris started his stint with Swift with 87 points against San Miguel Beer. That stood as the fourth best (now fifth) behind Hackett's 103, Briggs' 89 and Larry McNeil's 88. After that, his output went down as he could only taily 77 against Purefoods; 59 against Shell and 54 against Seven-Up. And so, people started to think that Harris' was nothing but a ningas cogon type of scorer and his average was bound to go down further as the tournament progressed. To which Harris said, "I'm not particular about records. I didn't come over to establish records. I came over to help my team win games and perhaps a championship." But Harris was just being modest. He didn't like the idea of people saying his game was going down. Down South, he started his upward swing by nailing 82 points as Swift walloped corporate rival Purefoods, 166-144, at the Rizal Memorial Colleges Gym in Davao City. His 82 points ranked seventh best in a tie with Freeman Williams output. Williams scored 82 while playing for Tanduay in 1987. Of course, coach Yeng Guiao, team manager Elmer Yanga and the rest of the Swift bench are happy to have Harris around. In fact, they are now looking forward to winning their first championship. The only thing that's causing anxiety at the Swift camp is whether Harris can keep up the good work. If he does, Swift has got it made. If he does not, then that's a big problem. From all indications, though, Harris has good attitude. He may be a snob at times but a regular guy the next moment. But he's definitely just right for Swift!