Purefoods needs 2OT to knockout Talk ‘N Text

MANILA, Philippines – The Yap boys – James and Roger – drained in four straight free throws at crunch time to lift Purefoods to a dramatic 126-123 double overtime win over Talk ‘N Text and book the last quarterfinals berth of the Motolite-PBA Fiesta Cup Friday night at the Araneta Coliseum. Roger Yap made two from the foul line with seven seconds left in the second extra period that put the Giants ahead for good, 124-123. Then after Ranidel de Ocampo was whistled for an offensive foul at the other end, James Yap hit two more free throws for the Giants in the final 2.2 seconds that clinched for Purefoods the win in a knockout game of changing fortunes. Kerby Raymundo scored a conference-high 33 points and 10 rebounds, Peter June Simon added 26, James Yap had 21 while Marquin Chandler with 12 before fouling out with four minutes left in regulation period. “We didn’t give up even when we’re down. I just told the team to have that mental toughness. And that got us going kahit na talagang pagod na kami," said Raymundo, who played the most for Purefoods with 48 minutes. The Giants, seeded no. 7, will now face third seeded Rain or Shine Elasto Painters in the best-of-three quarterfinals series beginning Sunday. The loss by Talk ‘N Text marked the first time in the league’s 34 years that the two teams which made the Finals the previous conference failed to reach the quarterfinals of the preceding meet. The Tropang Texters won the Philippine Cup title last conference at the expense of the Alaska Aces, who was eliminated by the Burger King Titans. Rashad Bell paced Talk ‘N Text with 29 points, Mac Cardona added 23 while Jimmy Alapag 17 before also hitting the showers in the first extra period. Purefoods appeared to have the game wrapped up in the first overtime when it took a 114-102 lead with two minutes left as James Yap – playing with a viral infection – hit eight points including six from three-point range. But the Tropang Texters battled their way back behind Cardona and RenRen Ritualo. The two combined to score the team’s next 12 points – all from three-point range including three straight by Ritualo from almost 35 feet – to tie the contest at 114. They even had a chance to win the game outright after Yap missed on a driving lay up with 11 seconds to go. Bell, however, dribbled much of the time before settling on a long three-pointer that kissed the tip of the rim at the buzzer. Raymundo almost won it for the Giants in regulation, draining an awkward three-pointer with 2.7 seconds left that tied the game at 100, while getting a bonus foul from Cardona. But the Purefoods starting center failed to convert on the extra free throw that could have given his team the lead, opening the door for one more crucial play for the Tropang Texters. Coming off a time out, Talk ‘N Text didn’t have a chance as Bell’s fade away three-pointer at the buzzer failed to hit the rim. – GMANews.TV