THE Purefoods TJ Giants got the better deal in the rugged and physical game as they pulled-off a come-from-behind 96-89 win over Sta. Lucia Realty last night in the 33rd Smart-PBA Philippine Cup at the Araneta Coliseum.
Marc Pingres, James and Roger Yap combined for 59 points to lead the TJ Giants auspicious start, which was marred by nine technical fouls and the ejections of Norman Gonzales and Jun Peter Simon early in the third period.
“In the first three quarters ang mapikon ay talo,” said Purefoods coach Ryan Gregorio, who also said that the game at least gave him enough better view of what to expect the rest of the way.
“I would really say that it is really an indication of what to come. It’s really a physical battle and it’s a good thing our second unit stepped up,” said Gregorio.
The 6-foot-3 James finished with 29 points, 17 of them in the first quarter, which tied the most quarter high set by Michael Hrabak in Game five of the Talk ‘N Text semifinal round of the 2007 Fiesta Conference last June 29.
The Realtors fielded Ryan Reyes, Joseph Yeo and Christian Coronel and played with more speed this time, which were enough for them to lead almost three-fourth of the way.
James was hot early in the match, hitting a high 66 percent in the three-point arc on two of three attempts, the second in the 1:07 that moved the Giants to only within three points, 47-50.
Support
But he hardly got the needed support as only Simon scored better among the Giants in the first half with seven points.
After a 10-all deadlock Paolo Mendoza scored seven points and Kelly Williams added two free throws to put the Realtors on top by eight, 22-16, still 3:09 left in the first period.
But, Simon, Kerby Raymundo and James combined for 11 points to regain the lead for the Giants, 31-29, at the end of the first period.
Aside from Yap, an alternate in the RP national team, Roger finished with 16 points, six rebounds, two assists and five steals. (FCC)
