Thursday, February 21, 2008 Giants fight back By Frank C. Calapre Sun.Star Correspondent
MANILA—Marc Pingres, James Yap and Kerby Raymundo led Purefoods Tender Juicy Giants strong wind-up to beat Sta. Lucia Realty, 118-107, yesterday in the third game of the best-of-seven championship series of the 33rd Smart-PBA Philippine Cup at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City here.
The Giants, who trimmed the gap in the series, 1-2, did what they failed to do in the last two games—outscore the Realtors, 32-27, in the fourth quarter.
Sta. Lucia won game one, 109-97, and game two, 112-101, last Sunday.
“We are back. The battlecry before this game was to survive and live another day and we did it. We were able to stop Kelly Williams, who played like an import in the last two matches. It was just good he did not make any explosion in the third period,” said Purefoods coach Ryan Gregorio, who is seeking their eighth conference title and fifth All-Filipino crown.
Purefoods, which made its 20th finals appearance since joining the league in 1988, had a slow start but played more aggressively that enabled them to take a big 112-100 upperhand in the last 2:50 of the match.
“I was really confused in the last two games because I don’t know how the referees made those calls. I was very puzzled. That is why I have to show my disgust by complaining,” said the 35-year-old Gregorio, who already owns two titles as a five-year coach in the PBA.
Unlike the previous games, James Yap scored 12 of his 27 points in the fourth quarter and made one rebound and two assists, while Peter Jun Simon and Raymundo contributed 26 points each.
Joseph Yeo topscored for the Realtors with 22 points and Dennis Espino finished 10, while Dennis Miranda had 17.
“At least we have showed we can beat Sta. Lucia. We have found the right formula already and we are confident we can beat them in this series, “ said Gregorio, who is trying to become the first Purefoods coach to win two All-Filipino crowns.
The Realtors, who reached the finals for only the third time since joining the league in 1993, took an early 8-2 lead, but Kerby Raymundo and James Yap scattered two baskets each to move to within 10-14, only six minutes gone in the game.
“We did our best tonight but I have to also gave credit to the way Purefoods played. They played very well. Well, we have to prepare now for the fourth game on Friday,” said Sta. Lucia coach Boyet Fernandez, who is aiming for the Realtors only second crown and first All-Filipino title.
Raymundo connected a triple and James scored on a jumper, while Pingres split a charity to cut down the deficit to only a lone point, 13-14.
A see-saw battle ensued before James completed a pair of charity to move the Giants on top 28-26 at the end of the first period.
