Giants relegated to KO wildcard wars

Sophomore forward Joe Devance tipped in a missed lay-up by rookie Kelvin de la Pena with 45.4 seconds to play to power semifinal-bound Alaska over Purefoods, 76-74, in the 2008-09 KFC PBA Philippine Cup Sunday night at the Astrodome in Pasay City.

The 6-foot-7 Devance, whom the Aces got via a trade with Rain or Shine in the off-season, best typified Alaska’s determined drive to log the best record by not giving up after de la Pena’s missed shot.

James Yap missed a three-pointer in the next play, but the Giants had one last shot to either send the game into overtime or win the game when rookie Mark Borboran muffed his own attempt from three-point territory.

But, coming off a timeout, Yap missed a potential game-tying jumper before the final buzzer sounded.

Alaska, already assured of the No. 1 spot and a place in the semifinals, finished its elimination round campaign with a 12-6 win-loss record.

On the other hand, Purefoods, which dropped t 8-10, was relegated to the knockout wildcard stage.

“It was a good motivation because of two things,” Alaska mentor Tim Cone said in a hoarse voice due to colds.

“First, we just want to be known as a team, an organization that plays hard. It’s important for our owner who works hard and for us to carry that to our team. Second, the guys just don’t want to get the No. 1 seeding (in the semifinals) by quotient, by they want to do it with the best record,” added Cone.

Despite Cone’s decision to rest two-time Most Valuable Player Willie Miller, who played only 18 minutes all in the first half, Alaska took control of the game as it led by as many as 19 points, 45-26, on a jumper by Sonny Thoss, 9:59 to play in the third.

But Purefoods bounced back to cut the deficit to two, 56-58, entering the final frame. The Giants even led by eight points on Yap’s three-pointer with 6:28 left in the game.

The Aces, however, were resilient as Devance connived with Borboran and former NCAA MVP de la Pena, whose jumper – his only basket in the game – tied the count at 74-all with a minute left to play in the game.

“We didn’t want to risk him (Miller). We want to give our young guys a chance to play. We’ve been hiding KC (dela Pena) and Mark. It was a well-fought game,” added Cone.

Devance, the top overall pick in the 2007 Annual Draft, led Alaska with 18 points and 10 rebounds. Jeffrey Cariaso added 11 markers, while Reynel Hugnatan had 10 points and 12 boards.

Kerby Raymundo paced Purefoods with his 23 points and 11 rebounds, while Yap contributed 18. Rico Villanueva posted another double-double with 12 points and 17 boards. (WG)


http://www.pba.ph/content/view/2427/1