DEFENSE WINS IT ANEW FOR PUREFOODS TJ GIANTS

source: pba.ph

Wed, 12/09/2009 - 20:55 — junior

Roger Yap made key steal in the closing minute to help Purefoods beat the struggling Barako Bull 70-66 Wednesday night at the Araneta Coliseum.

It was another close-shave win for the Giants, who blew a 21-point second quarter lead and had to play excellent defense in the closing minute to earn their fourth consecutive victory.

Against Barangay Ginebra on Sunday, the Giants also squandered a 15-point advantage and needed a late run in the fourth to come away with the win.

“No matter how ugly this (win) is, we’ll take it anyway,” said Purefoods head coach Ryan Gregorio, who called the 17 turnovers alarming.

“We’re not fluid at all especially on offense and we threw the ball like crazy,” proclaimed Gregorio.

At the end of the day, though, Gregorio and the Giants can heave a sigh of relief knowing they’re now closing on the leaders in the race for the two outright semifinal berths in 2009-10 KFC-PBA Philippine Cup playoffs.

James Yap went 8-for-17 from the field for 18 points, including an 8-foot fallaway shot that broke a 63-63 count with 4:05 remaining.

Then after Barako Bull called time, Roger Yap stole Yousif Aljamal’s inbound pass and quickly raced downcourt for a layup that secured Purefoods’ eighth win in 12 games. He was the only other Purefoods player in double figure with 11 points.

Purefoods shot 39 percent (25-of-63) and committed 17 turnovers (five in the fourth quarter).

But what surprised Gregorio all the more was the stats indicating his troops were beaten off the boards.

Barako Bull, the league worst rebounding team, outrebounded the Giants, 51-43.

Wednesday night’s loss was another bitter pill to swallow for the Energy Boosters, who dropped their eight consecutive defeat and 10th overall in 11 games.

They were almost close to ending the losing spell but couldn’t make a run when they needed it most. Barako Bull made just 25-of- 70 attempts (35 percent) from the field.

Purefoods, which had a 26-9 lead after the first 12 minutes of play, appeared headed for a lopsided victory when they raced to a 32-11 lead with 7:02 left in the second quarter.

But Barako Bull outscored Purefoods 15-8 the rest of the period to cut the gap to 26-40 at halftime.

The Giants, who posted are in their longest win streak since is 7-0 start in the 2007-08 Philippine Cup, still led, 61-54, when Barako Bull went on a 7-0 run capped by a follow-up shot by Jojo Duncil to tie the count at 61 with 5:47 left.

The count was tied again at 63 on two free throws by Paolo Hubalde but that was the best Barako Bull could muster. (DBC)

The scores:

PUREFOODS 70 - Yap J. 18, Yap R. 11, Artadi 8, Raymundo 8, Pingris 6, Allado 6, Timberlake 4, Reavis 4, Simon 2, Adducul 2, Maierhofer 1, Canaleta 0.

BARAKO BULL 66 - Fernandez 12, Reyes 9, Menor 8, Alonzo 8, Aljamal 8, Hubalde 5, Chia 5, Belano 3, Duncil 2, Sta. Maria 2, Dimaunahan 2, Lao 2.

Quarterscores: 21-9, 40-26, 54-47, 70-66.