Gary David scored 26 points, Arwind Santos added 24 and the Burger King Whoppers had a practically easy time against the Coca-Cola Tigers in a 127-109 victory Friday night at the Araneta Coliseum.

What appeared to be close match after the opening half turned into a blowout game in the third quarter where the Whoppers outscored the Tigers, 41-28.

David and Santos accounted for 21 points during that killer attack as Burger King extended a nine-point halftime lead to 102-80 at the end of the third period.

“We just rode on the momentum from our last game,” said Burger King coach Yeng Guiao, referring to their 123-110 rout over Barako Bull last Wednesday.

Burger King won its second straight and fourth overall in six games to stay close behind solo leader San Miguel Beer, unbeaten in five games in the 2009 Motolite-PBA Fiesta Conference.

The lopsidedness of the match prompted Guiao to compare their performance from Wednesday’s game against Barako Bull.

“Everybody’s in the groove and in excellent rhythm. Just like the way we did last Wednesday. But that’s exactly the way we want to play the game, in torrid pace with lots of action,” said Guiao, who finally won against Coca-Cola coach Kenneth Duremdes in three games.

He added: “We’re trying to get the best record we can before the Holy Week break.”

During the post-game interview, the Burger King coach was asked to comment on Santos’ consistent performance and Guiao replied by saying: “ I don’t want speak too early and don’t want to put pressure on him. But the way I look at it he’s shaping up to be an MVP candidate.”

Coke’s third straight loss and fourth in five games underscored the urgency for the team to replace import J.J. Sullinger sooner than later.

Standing a little over six-foot-five, Sullinger is the second shortest import in the conference. And although he averages 25 points a game, he could hardly provide an impact for the team that aims to do better this conference after a disappointing campaign in the Philippine Cup.

Duremdes maintained that Sullinger is just on a temporary employment and will be replaced as soon as their original choice, James Penny, arrives. Penny is still playing in Mexico.

The Tigers managed to provide a challenge only in the first half that saw the two teams battle through eight deadlocks and eight lead changes.

Baskets by Asi Taulava (27 points, 12 rebounds) and Sullinger (32 points, 16 rebounds) tied the count for the last time at 46-46 before Beau Belga, J.R. Quinahan and Santos strung up six straight points as Burger King closed out the second quarter with a 14-8 run to take the lead for good.(jack18jack)