source PBA.PH
Sat, 02/13/2010 - 01:06
Kerby Raymundo picked up two quick fouls and was ejected from the game with 4:11 left in the second quarter that almost jolted the entire Purefoods bench.
Fortunately, Rafi Reavis and KG Canaleta raised the level of their games to cushion the impact of Raymundo’s absence and helped the Giants fashion out a 103-84 romp against the San Miguel Beermen Friday that evened their KFC-PBA Philippine Cup semifinal series at the Cuneta Astrodome at one game apiece.
The Giants, who lost the series opener 99-83 last Wednesday, also got a big boost from James Yap, who threw bricks for three quarters but found his offensive rhythm at the most crucial time as Purefoods held off a strong fourth quarter charge by San Miguel and preserved its first win against the Beermen this conference.
“We came out with tremendous effort and tremendous energy. And more importantly, we defended the way we defended other teams in the elims. That’s the only way you can beat a team like San Miguel … defense,” proclaimed Purefoods coach Ryan Gregorio during the post-game interview.
“It’s nice to finally win one against San Miguel. But we need three more wins to clinch the series. So there’s really nothing special about this win.”
But it was surely a relief for Gregorio and the Giants they are not down 0-2. It also an added confidence for the team knowing they have momentum going into Sunday’s Game Three.
“Rafi was a monster tonight. He ably filled the shoe of Kerby. KG also gave us a huge lift and James showed once more why he is the leader of this team. He made the big shots at the time when everybody went cold,” Gregorio said.
Reavis collected 20 points to lead all scorers, his highest output since the 2004 Fiesta Conference quarterfinals when he had 22 in a 92-76 win by Coca-Cola over Alaska. He also had 12 rebounds, three assists, one steal and four blocks in 37 minutes on the floor.
Canaleta celebrated his 28th birthday with a splash, finishing with 17 points and four assists while James Yap scored 11 of his 17 points in the fourth quarter.
Purefoods encountered a minor distraction in the second quarter when Raymundo was called for blocking foul on Jay Washington with four minutes and 11 seconds left in the period.
The veteran center argued the call and earning him a “T”. He was eventually tossed from the game after getting another one for a physical contact with the game official.
Raymundo, who saw action for just eight minutes, walked off the game scoreless, the first time it happened in seven and a half years.
Roger Yap also made his presence felt with 15 points, Paul Artadi added 12 and Marc Pingris grabbed 12 rebounds as Purefoods outrebounded SMB, 51-44.
SMB coach Siot Tanquingcen appeared disappointed when he showed up at the press room for his post-game interview.
“We got kicked in the ass. We came out flat and they played with so much energy. To me that made all the difference tonight,” he said.
Game 3 of the best-of-seven series is scheduled 6 p.m. on Sunday at the Araneta Coliseum.
The Beermen opened the game with a 10-7 lead but Purefoods quickly responded by scoring the next seven points to take the lead and never trailed the rest of the way.
Purefoods held a 50-36 advantage at halftime. The margin became 73-52 late in the third.
Danny Seigle came off the bench to lead SMB with 16 points, including a jumper that pulled the Beermen within 70-81 with still 7:08 remaining.
Arwind Santos went 5-of-18 from the field and finished with 13 points, the same score collected by Dondon Hontiveros. (DBC)
The scores:
Purefoods 103 - Reavis 20, Canaleta 17, Yap J. 17, Yap R. 15, Artadi 12, Maierhofer 9, Pingris 7, Simon 2, Adducul 2, Allado 2, Salvador 0, Raymundo 0.
San Miguel Beer 84 - Seigle 16, Santos 13, Hontiveros 13, Washington 10, Custodio 8, Ildefonso 7, Cortez 6, Racela 5, Villanueva 4, Miranda 2, Pennisi 0, Pena 0.
Quarterscores: 28-21, 50-36, 73-59, 103-84.
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