The Giants shifted their game into high gear in the final half, seizing control and going on to score the vital victory that kept their slim chance at landing at No. 2 at the close of the double-round elimination phase.
Purefoods, which will be contented with an outright quarterfinal berth should it fail to make it to the Top 2, blasted Alaska with key runs in the final half, nailing the win that drew them level with Barangay Ginebra at third place with identical 11-6 win-loss cards.
Victories by Purefoods and Ginebra in their closing games will open the possibility of a playoff for the second outright semis seat in case Alaska loses its last two games versus Burger King and Rain or Shine. Despite the loss, the Aces (12-4) stayed at second place with two more cracks at an outright semis berth.
They play the Whoppers Wednesday then the Elasto Painters Friday. The Giants played with a lot of hustle and with more sense of urgency, beati
ng the Aces, 23-8, on second-chance points and, 28-21, on points off turnovers. "I'm very happy with the energy and intensity showed by the boys in this game. It led to the crucial win putting us in a good position to make the Top Five," said Purefoods coach Ryan Gregorio.
“Alaska has got a big advantage in the fight for the No. 2 spot. We’ll be happy to get outright entry into the quarterfinals,” Gregorio added. No less than seven Purefoods players finished in double figures, underscoring the balanced game put in by the Giants.
Ace scorer James Yap and rookie Rico Maierhofer logged in 15 points apiece with KG Canaleta adding 13, Roger Yap 12, Paul Artadi and Kerby Raymundo 11 each and Marc Pingris 10. Rafi Reavis made only seven points but grabbed 14 rebounds.
After battling the Aces through 11 deadlocks in the first half, the Giants stepped up their game returning from the halftime huddle, establishing control in the third period. The Giants took a 69-54 spread at the close of the third quarter and had no problem protecting the lead in the final canto. (SB)
The scores:
Purefoods 94 - Maierhofer 15, Yap J. 15, Canaleta 13, Yap R. 12, Artadi 11, Raymundo 11, Pingris 10, Reavis 7, Simon 0, Adducul 0, Allado 0.
Alaska 77 - DeVance 14, Miller 13, Thoss 12, Tenorio 9, Cariaso 8, Hugnatan 6, Dela Cruz 6, Borboran 5, Fonacier 2, Cablay 2, Burtscher 0, Ferriols 0.
Quarterscores: 18-16, 43-36, 69-54, 94-77
Game Saturday (Zamboanga City)
5 p.m. — San Miguel vs Talk ’N Text
Games Sunday (Araneta Coliseum)
4 p.m. — Sta. Lucia vs Barako Bull
6:30 p.m. — Burger King vs Ginebra
Source: Author Unknown | PBA.ph
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