Giants silence Tropang Texters’ guns in endgame

Just seeing Romel Adducul back in uniform inspired the Purefoods Tender Juicy Giants to compete hard and get back on track.

"The presence of Romel was a big morale-boost. He inspired his teammates. They rallied behind him," said coach Ryan Gregorio as the Giants pulled off a pulsating 96-93 win over the Talk n Text Tropang Texters Sunday at the Araneta Coliseum.

Purefoods gallantly fought back from a 17-point deficit and beat Talk n Text in a tupsy-turvy finish thus keeping its slim chance of gaining outright quarterfinals seat in the KFC PBA Philippine Cup.

Adducul showed up in uniform, having been reactivated from the reserve list after winning his battle with the "Big C."

"It was big considering the circumstances we're in. We're coming off back-to-back sorry losses and we had to overcome a big deficit here. It's nice to win again," said Gregorio on the crucial win coming after successive defeats to Rain or Shine and Sta. Lucia Realty.

"Everything is not yet lost. Hopefully, we can continue to compete and make the Top Five," added Gregorio whose team jacked up their record to 8-9.

Purefoods repeated over Talk n Text, foiling the Tropang Texters' bid to catch up with the Alaska Milk Aces (10-6) atop the heap. Talk n Text instead slid to joint second with San Miguel and Rain or Shine at 9-7.

The Giants didn't need a last-second shot from Chico Lanete but repeated in same exciting way.

Lanete beat the buzzer as the Giants upended the Tropang Texters, 88-87, in their previous tiff last Nov. 7.

Enrico Villanueva scored a two-handed jam in the closing seconds to seal the repeat win.

Still down by eight, 81-89, entering the last three minutes of play, the Giants leaned on clutch baskets by Villanueva, Topex Robinson and James Yap as they surged ahead at 94-91.

Jason Castro, who rattled in 21 points, came through with a quick drive-in basket off Robinson as Talk n Text came within one at 93-94 with time down to 14.4 seconds.

In the ensuing play, the Tropang Texters were looking for a quick foul but the Giants got away with a good passing play leading to a breakaway slam by Villanueva making it 96-93 with time down to 5.8 seconds.

Talk n Text still had a chance to force overtime but Harvey Carey missed a three-point attempt from the left flank at the buzzer.

Yap made a team-high 25 points while Villanueva churned out a double-double with 24 points and 10 rebounds.

Mark Cardona led all scorers with 30 but he had crucial misses and errors down the stretch. (NC)

The scores:

Purefoods 96 -- Yap J. 25, Villanueva 24, Raymundo 14, Lanete 9, Robinson 9, Alvarez 6, Yap R. 5, Belga 4, Alonzo 0, Aban 0.

Talk n Text 93 -- Cardona 30, Castro 21, De Ocampo 16, Carey 8, Dillinger 6, Alapag 3, Allado 3, Aljamal 2, Peek 2, Ritualo 2.

Quarterscores: 14-24, 35-48, 63-72, 96-93


http://www.pba.ph/content/view/2417/1/