Kerby Raymundo, drawing a crucial foul from Joe Devance with 1.7 seconds to go, knocked in the deciding free throw as Purefoods salvaged an 86-85 win over Alaska Milk in Game Two of the KFC PBA Philippine Cup Finals at the Araneta Coliseum Friday night.
The Giants squandered a 48-39 halftime lead but recovered in the nick of time, making it two-zero in their best-of-seven championship showdown.
“We really fought hard to come back. We’re down by 14 but we didn’t give up and kept on playing. We had a chance in the end and we grabbed the opportunity,” said Purefoods coach Ryan Gregorio.
“We’re able to weather the storm despite LA Tenorio’s shining moment. Brandon Cablay also played big but we didn’t let that affect us. That showed the mental stability we have in our team,” Gregorio added.
On the crucial foul called by referee Raymundo Maurillo in the dying seconds, Gregorio said: “It’s one of those calls which are game-altering whether called or not.”
“We’re lucky it’s called (on Raymundo’s favor),” Gregorio added.
Purefoods went up by one as Raymundo made the first free throw and eventually won the game with the time expiring with the two teams fighting for the looseball after Raymundo missed the second shot.
The Giants, drawing a personally conference high of 32 points from James Yap, stretched their streak to five games dating back to their semis playoff with the San Miguel Beermen.
Gregorio said they have no intention of slowing down.
“We’re happy we’re 2-0 up but we’re not satisfied,” said the youthful Purefoods mentor.
Yap, Raymundo, Rico Maierhofer and Reavis teamed up in a mighty siege that had Purefoods overcoming a 64-78 deficit in the last five minutes of play.
Alaska shrugged off a slow start, riding the exploits of its guards as it waged a second-half chase, establishing the commanding spread.
Willie Miller brought Alaska back in the game in the third quarter then Tenorio and Cablay took over in the fourth before the Giants had their own rally.
Yap highlighted his 32-point explosion with back-to-back three-pointers that sparked the fightback sending Giants back on top at 85-84 with 14.3 ticks left.
Devance sank a free throw off a foul by Rafi Reavis as the Aces tied the count at 85-all nine seconds later.
The Giants came out bristling, hitting at a 50-percent clip to take the first half at 48-38.
Imposing their game early, the Giants took control at the onset, dominating the first half though beaten in rebounding.
The Aces suffered an early bad break with Sonny Thoss picking three fouls right in the first quarter and getting another one upon his return to the floor in the second period.
Reavis went to work early, attacking Thoss’ defense as he piled up nine points, one rebound and one assists in the first quarter which ended in their favor at 28-18.
James Yap also came out with his guns ablaze, firing eight points in the opening canto and rifling in nine in the next period.
The Giants worked efficiently together on defense, forcing the Aces to 15 errors in the first 24 minutes of play. Purefoods beat Alaska by 17 points, 22-5, off turnovers. (SB)
The scores:
Purefoods 86 – Yap J. 32, Reavis 17, Reymundo 14, Allado 5, Maierhofer 4, Canaleta 4, Artadi 4, Pingris 3, Yap R. 3, Simon 0, Adducul 0.
Alaska 85 – Tenorio 19, De VAnce 12, Miller 12, Dela Cruz 9, Thoss 8, Ferriols 8, Cablay 8, Hugnatan 6, Borboran 3, Fonacier 0, Cariaso 0.
Quarters: 28-18, 48-39, 57-62, 86-85.
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