Thursday, October 09, 2008 Giants outhustle Barakos, 77-73
MANILA--Last year's runnerup Purefoods Tender Juicy Giants needed a fourth quarter blazing run to pull off a come-from-behind 77-73 win over Red Bull yesterday in the 34th KFC-PBA Philippine Cup at the Araneta Coliseum.
Just when ace gunner James Yap couldn't find his range, the seven-time titlist Giants turned to the more seasoned Kerby Raymundo and Enrico Villanueva in the crucial stretch to escape with the big triumph, which coach Ryan Gregorio described as a tough win.
"It's a big win but a very tough one. They (Barakos) lost their top players but as long as coach Yeng Guiao is there, they are always very difficult to beat," said Gregorio..
The 6-foot-6 Raymundo and 6-foot-5 Villanueva scored 11 of Purefoods' final 13 points to escape with the win and joined Alaska, Rain or Shine and Talk 'N Text at the top of the standing.
It was a sorry loss for the Barakos, who despite losing key players Mick Pennisi and Topex Robinson, showed remarkable offense that enabled them to take the lead three-fourth of the way.
"What troubled us early on was James Yap's off-night. At least, we won this game and we should think that we have to regain our high level of confidence," added Gregorio, whose Giants lost to Sta. Lucia Realty, 3-4, in the best-of-seven finals last year.
"At least Kerby (Raymundo) and Enrico Villanueva were there, when we needed them most," he said.
After falling behind for a long while, Villanueva took advantage of Red Bull's three turnovers to score four straight points and put the Giants on top for thr first time, 70-69,
still 4:49 remaining.
Raymundo, who made 11 points in the fourth period, topscored for the Giants with 23 points, on top of 15 rebounds and three blocks, while Peter Jun Simon settled with 18 and 4 rebounds. Villanueva had 15 points, 11 rebounds and one block.
Newly-recruit Gabby Espina, acquired from Air 21, led the Barakos with 18 points.
The Barakos, with former NCAA MVP Gabby Espinas and Paolo Hubalde at the helm, started strong as they surged to an early 12-2 lead with only three minutes gone into the match.
Raymundo and Villanueva came in to lead the Giants' 10-6 run that cut down the deficit to only, 12-18, still 4:54 remaining in the opening canto.
Butt Espinas, Cyrus Bagiio and Leomar Najorda combined for 10 points to keep their 10-point lead, 28-10, entering the second quarter.
The Barakos tightened their defense to hold the Giants to only 10 points in the next period to stretch the gap to 43-28 at the half.
Meanwhile, the Talk 'N Text Tropang Texters gun for their second straight win and the solo lead when they face Air 21 today in the resumption of the first round elimination at the Ynares Sports Center in Pasig City.
Coach Chot Reyes of the Tropang Texters, fresh from their 98-97 win over rival Coca-Cola Tigers last Oct. 4, expressed confidence to notch their second straight victory over the Express, who suffered a humiliating 120-102 setback to Rain or Shine last Oct. 5.
The Express, runnerup to Ginebra in the recent 2008 Fiesta Conference, will suit up without ace gunner Arwind Santos and defender Homer Se, who were meted a one-game suspension for unsportsmanlike behavior during their game against the Elasto Painters.
The Scores:
Purefoods (77)- Raymundo 23, Simon 18, Villanueva 15, Yap R. 9, Yap J. 8, Bugia 2, Robinson 2, Belga 0, Alonzo 0, Lanete 0, Aban 0, Salvador 0. Red Bull (73)- Espinas 18, Baguio 10, Duncil 9, Najorda 9, Cruz 7, Rodriguez 6, Chan 5, Hubalde 5, Alvarez 4, Ybanez 0, Hrabak 0. (FCC)
