PUREFOODS DOWNS COKE, GAINS SHARE OF 4TH

SOURCE: PBA.PH


Wed, 12/02/2009 - 22:39 — junior

The Purefoods Tender Juicy Giants had their contribution making their special company event more meaningful.

The Giants scored their first back-to-back victories in the 35th PBA season, following up their 68-63 win over the Sta. Lucia Realtors Saturday with an 88-79 whipping of the Coca-Cola Tigers at the Araneta Coliseum Wednesday night.

"We really prepared hard to break our win-loss-win-loss ride. It came at the right time when we're celebrating a special event," said Purefoods coach Ryan Gregorio.

The Giants chalked up a sixth win in 10 games in the 2009-2010 KFC Philippine Cup on the day Purefoods and Hormel Foods International Corp. celebrated their 10th year of partnership.

Company bigwigs stood as witnesses as the Giants got back at the Tigers, nailing the win that tied them with the Talk n Text Tropang Texters at third place behind the Alaska Milk Aces (9-1) and the San Miguel Beermen (8-2).

"We're well within the leaders. This is sweet for us but definitely there's still a lot to be done," said Gregorio.

Purefoods was the lone team beaten by Coca-Cola in the first round. The Giants exacted revenge even with Kerby Raymundo confined on the bench with a sore knee.

Wing men James Yap and Peter June Simon both played well, combining for 40 points, six rebounds and four assists.

The two themselves presided over a key fourth-quarter run that shattered Coca-Cola's bid.

The Giants broke away from a 68-70 count, handing the Tigers a ninth loss against a lone win.

"I'm happy both James and PJ, who struggled in the first round, came out and dished out excellent games tonight. They stepped in a special game. I think it's a good sign for us," said Gregorio.

"Kerby is negative on MCL and negative on ACL. But something is hurting inside his knee. It's been my philosophy as a coach that if someone's hurting, I won't jeopardize his career," said Gregorio on Raymundo's status.

Don Allado assumed Raymundo's role as starting big forward and the former La Salle Archer came through with 11 points, three rebounds, one assist, one steal and one block in 31 minutes of action.

He had 10 as the Giants took the half at 40-36.

Yap and Simon, however, stood out in the end as they starred in Purefoods' back-breaking run at the finish.

Simon had 11 of his 18 points while Yap made nine in the final canto. (SB)

The scores:

Purefoods 88 - Yap J. 22, Simon 18, Yap R. 11, Allado 11, Artadi 6, Artadi 6, Maierhofer 5, Reavis 4, Adducul 3, Timberlake 2, Salvador 0.

Coca-Cola 79 - Rodriguez 21, Ross 13, Cabagnot 12, Macapagal 11, Espino 7, Rizada 6, Gonzales N. 6, Bono 2, Gonzales W. 1, Allera 0, Calimag 0.

Quarterscores: 21-18, 40-36, 63-58, 88-79