source: gmanews.tv
Purefoods rallied back from an early 12-point deficit to hack out another thrilling win at the expense of Alaska, 79-78, as the Giants moved to the threshold of capturing the KFC-PBA Philippine Cup title via a sweep.
KG Canaleta hit the game-tying three-pointer inside the final two minutes and Kerby Raymundo scored off a perfect spin move that put the Giants on top for good, 79-77, before watching Alaska crumble under extreme pressure with a series of turnovers and missed shots.
Pandemonium broke inside the Araneta Coliseum the moment Willie Miller missed a floater inside the foul line at the final buzzer, formalizing Purefoods’ third straight win in the series for a commanding 3-0 lead.
he Giants will go for all the marbles on Wednesday when Game 4 is played also at the Big Dome.
No team in the 35-year history of the league has climbed back from such a huge deficit to win a best-of-seven duel.
Counting back their three straight wins in the semifinals, the Giants have won their last six games, including their stirring 86-85 victory in Game 2.
“Not until we get that win no. 4 will there be a celebration within the team," said a very cautious Purefoods coach Ryan Gregorio.
James Yap again topscored for the Giants with 14 points and PJ Simon added 12. But it was Canaleta who brought the team back to life after trailing by as many as 16-4 in the opening quarter.
Canaleta shot 2-of-3 from three-point range to finish with eight points.
“He bailed us out when the chips were down," said Gregorio of the slam dunking forward out of University of the East.
Canaleta came through with the highlight reel play of Game 3, scoring on a baseline throw down off Joe DeVance’s outstretched arm seven minutes into the final quarter as the Giants threatened at 63-67.
His fadeaway shot from downtown finally had Purefoods tying the game at 77 with 1:30 to go.
That’s when Alaska began to disintegrate.
Reynel Hugnatan threw away the ball intended for Miller, paving the way for Raymundo to come up with a brilliant spin move off DeVance at the other end as the Giants took a two-point lead in the final minute.
Miller then lost control of the ball in the Aces’ inbounds play, before splitting his charities in the final 31 second for a 79-78 Purefoods lead.
After Canaleta flubbed his three-point attempt, the Aces had two more chances of turning the game around, but missed on both of them, including that failed heave of Miller at the buzzer. – GMANews.TV
The scores:
Purefoods 79 - Yap J. 14, Simon 12, Canaleta 8, Pingris 8, Reavis 8, Raymundo 8, Maierhofer 7, Yap R. 5, Allado 5, Salvador 3, Artadi 1.
Alaska 78 - Miller 20, De Vance 16, Thoss 12, Dela Cruz 10, Tenorio 8, Hugnatan 6, Ferriols 4, Borboran 2, Fonacier 0.
Quarterscores: 15-21, 36-44, 61-67, 79-78.
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