Friday, February 22, 2008 Giants eye 2-2 series with Sta. Lucia
MANILA—After trimming down the series, 1-2, the Purefoods Tender Juicy Giants hope to level the count when they meet Sta. Lucia today in Ggame 4 of the best-of-seven championship series of the 33rd Smart-PBA Philippine Cup at the Araneta Coliseum.
Purefoods coach Ryan Gregorio said they have already found the right formula and they have proven it with their 118-107 win over the Realtors in Game three last Wednesday.
“At least by this victory, we have proven that we can beat Sta. Lucia, “ said the 35-year-old Gregorio.
The Giants and the Realtors, who are seeking their second conference crown and first All-Filipino title, will face each other in the lone game at 7 p.m.
A win by the Realtors, who won Game 1 (109-97) and Game 2 (112-101), will move them just a win away from ending a 7-year title drought. Sta Lucia won the 2001 Governors Cup, its first and only crown since joining the league in 1993.
“That is what we are going to avoid. So, we have to tie the series on Friday,” said Gregorio.
For his part, coach Boyet Fernandez said he was really expecting the Giants would make a strong comeback.
“That what I told my wards, but we have to give credit on the way Purefoods played in game three. So, now we knew the 2-1 advantage may be far from over,” said Fernandez, who steered the Realtors to the championship in only his second conference as a coach.
Purefoods outscored the Realtors in the fourth quarter, 32-27, which was the key to their victory, thanks to James Yap’s 12 points and Kerby Raymundo’s 5. The duo also played less than 40 minutes for the first time.
Another first in the finals was Kelly Williams’ measly output. Williams could only score 10 points but still played 42 minutes. The leading “Player of the Conference” candidate finished with 24 points in the first game and 28 in the second game. (FCC)
