Purefoods, TnT shoot for 2-0 lead

MANILA, Philippines - Purefoods and Talk n Text are both simply out to sustain the momentum of their victories Friday as they go for a commanding two-game-to-nil lead over Rain or Shine and Barangay Ginebra at the resumption of their KFC PBA Philippine Cup best-of-five quarterfinals showdowns at the Araneta Coliseum today.

With not much time to make major adjustments, the Giants and the Tropang Texters just intend to fight with greater determination as they stick with game plans that clicked in the series opener.

The Giants whipped the Elasto Painters, 90-85, while the Tropang Texters walloped the Kings, 107-92, for the decisive head start in the short series.

In a bid to get even, the Kings and the Elasto Painters are coming out treating Game Two as a do-or-die setto.

“It’s really a must-win game for us, so our mentality is like we’re playing a no-tomorrow game,” said Ginebra coach Jong Uichico.


The Texters jumped the gun on the Kings, pulling away early before holding off Ginebra’s fourth-quarter uprising.

Jason Castro paced five TnT players in double digits with 20 points that went with seven rebounds, four steals, two assists and one block.

Jimmy Alapag chipped in 19 points, Harvey Carey 13, Mark Cardona 12, Jared Dillinger 11 and Ali Peek 10 as the Texters picked up from where they left off in the elims, beating the San Miguel Beermen, 93-91, in a fierce battle last Jan. 16 in Zamboanga.

The Texters made it two in a row while ending the Kings’ four-game roll.

In the other series, Purefoods sent Rain or Shine back to earth with a solid game presided over by James Yap and Roger Yap.

And Purefoods coach Ryan Gregorio said they don’t intend to slow down in Game Two.

“Our mindset is to enter the game with a 0-0 standing in the series. We must always be on our toes and never take things for granted,” said Gregorio.

“Limiting (Sol) Mercado will still be at the top of our list. Ryan Arana scored heavily in Game One and he must be guarded tightly together with Gabe Norwood,” Gregorio added.

The youthful Purefoods mentor noted defense has kept them afloat throughout the tourney so far.

“James and Roger really played well not just offensively but defensively Friday. Defense will still be the focal point of our preparation for Game Two,” said Gregorio.

James Yap came through with an explosive 31-point performance highlighted by a clutch triple in the stretch while Roger Yap churned out 17 including eight in the fourth quarter Friday.

Gregorio said their good job to neutralize Mercado was a big help. Mercado was held to 17 points, 10 below his average in their last three games.

Source: Nelson Beltran  | Philstar.com