ILOILO CITY - Gordon's Gin gifted playing-coach Robert Jaworski Sr. on his 51st birthday an 86-79 win over Pure Foods and a league-leading 5-1 record in the PBA All-Filipino Cup last night at the University of San Agustin gym here.

Jaworski marked another milestone in his checkered career by playing for 11 minutes, tossing in eight points, collaring three boards and pulling off a couple of steals for the Boars.

Noli Locsin bucked a fractured bone on his left hand in the first half by apllying the muzzle on Alvin Patrimonio in the decisive fourth quarter where Marlou Aquino tossed 14 points that sent the Cowboys reeling to their third loss in five outings.

The game was delayed for some 30 minutes as the PBA held an impromptu program to honor its oldest active player, a league pioneer and the country's most popular cage icon.

Back at the Cuneta Astrodome, coach Tim Cone believes his Alaska Milk squad is bound to perform badly tonight. Maybe as bad as they did Friday night. Unless, he said, some other guys, outside of his fearsome threesome, step up their games.

This was his assessment as his team takes on Sta Lucia Realty at 6:30p.m..

The first game at 4:15 p.m. pits the Alaskans' conqueror, Formula Shell, against another struggling squad, Pop Cola in a match the latter could not afford to lose if it hopes to break into the semifinals.

The Bottlers, wracked by seemingly endless internal problems, are currently occupying the cellar with a 1-4 win-loss card, a rank behind the Zoom Masters who tied the Alaskans at 2-3 the other night with a 78-70 victory at the Araneta Coliseum.

Disappointed by that loss, Cone believes their chances of recovering from this woeful start is for the other guys outside of Johnny Abarrientos, Jojo Lastimosa and Bong Hawkins to step up.

The scores:

GORDON`S 86 - Aquino 27, Hizon 15, Jaworski Sr. 8, Jaworski Jr. 6, Gayoso 6, David 6, Jarencio 6, Locsin 6, Cheng 4, De Joya 2, Saldana 0, Ong 0

PUREFOODS 79 - Codinera 27, Ravena 15, Patrimonio 12, Lago 11, Pumaren 5, Evangelista 3, Bolado 2, Sasuman 2, Reyes 2, Mosqueda 0 Quarters: 21-21, 38-35, 60-60, 86-79.

Shell beats Alaska; SMB rips Mobiline.

March 07,1997
Alaska plays slumping Shell tonight.

It's Black versus Jacobs in Mobiline-SMB clash today.

March 05,1997
Mobiline buries troubled Pop Cola deeper in the cellar.

Pumaren's `firing' denied; cagers blamed.

March 04,1997
Gordon's Gin, Sta. Lucia clash in battle of leaders.

Pumaren on his way out?

March 03,1997
Alaska stops Gordon's streak.

Jaworski charms PBA reporters.

Alaska halts Gordon's streak.

March 02,1997
Gordon's Gin tests Alaska mettle today.

March 01,1997
PureFoods rips Alaska Milkmen, 88-63.

Gordon's stays sparkling clear.

New twist in Jacobs-BCAP case.

PBA twinbill in Pampanga.