Kerby Raymundo, drawing a crucial foul from Joe DeVance with the count tied at 86-all with time down to 1.7 seconds, knocked in a free throw to make it five in a row for the Giants dating back to the semifinals.
“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 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 on the infraction vehemently protested by the Aces to no avail.
“I think Purefoods is sad with this win. They’re not happy with the call,” said Alaska team manager Joaqui Trillo.
Alaska shrugged off a slow start, riding the exploits of its guards as it waged a second-half chase, establishing a commanding spread, 78-64, with time down to 5:24.
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.
James Yap put in a personal conference high of 32 points, including back-to-back three-pointers that sparked the fightback that had the Giants regaining the lead 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.
It was a thriller of a game that had one Alaska fan suffering from a suspected heart attack.
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 from there, attacking Thoss’ defense as he piled up nine points, one rebound and one assist 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 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.
Source: Nelson Beltran | Philstar.com
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