PUREFOODS BOOKS SEAT IN PRE-SEASON FINALE; San Miguel remains unscathed in Group A

Philippine Basketball Association website
Saturday, 22 September 2007

Purefoods Tender Juicy booked the first seat in the 2007 PBA Pre-Season Tournament final with a 111-105 overtime victory over Talk N Text Friday night at the Blue Eagle gym.

The Giants squandered a 16-point third-quarter lead but regained their bearings in extra time as they notched a third win in as many games in Group B in this preseason event.

That guaranteed Purefoods a trip to the titular game although it is still to play Welcoat in its final game in the short elimination round.

Moving out of contention from the same group are Welcoat, Talk N Text, Barangay Ginebra and Air21.

San Miguel Beer, Sta. Lucia Realty and Alaska are the teams from Group A with a chance to challenge Purefoods in the title match.

The Beermen nipped the Red Bull Barakos, 104-102, also for their third win in as many outings. The Realtors are at 2-0 while the Aces at 1-1.

Red Bull crashed out of contention on a second straight defeat. Coca-Cola, at 0-3, was the first team in Group B to reeled in the sideline.

James Yap scored seven points and issued a crucial assist as he took charge in the extra period, saving the Giants from what could have been a bitter loss.

The Giants set the pace almost throughout only to blow away a 16-point third-quarter margin on a fiery chase by the Pals in the payoff period.

The Pals eventually pulled even at 98-all on two free throws by Jimmy Alapag with 18 seconds left to play. The two teams failed to score the rest of the regulation play.

But the Giants won’t be denied with Yap again finding his rhythm in overtime, firing seven straight points as Purefoods regained breathing room, 107-103, with a minute left to play.

Yap later issued a perfect feed to Jondan Salvador for a basket that eventually broke the Pals’ back.

The 2006 MVP awardee finished with a game-high 29 points with Peter June Simon adding 14, Kerby Raymundo 13 and Roger Yap 12.

Danny Ildefonso, LA Tenorio, Rico Villanueva, Danny Seigle and Dondon Hontiveros all scored in double figures to lead the Beermen past the Barakos.

Mick Pennisi fired 17 points in his first game with Red Bull in the preseason event. (NC)

The scores:

First Game

Purefoods 111 – Yap J. 29, Simon 14, Raymundo 13, Yap R. 12, Lanete 11, Adducul 7, Pingris 6, Sanz 5, Evangelista 4, Larong 0.
Talk N Text 105 – Taulava 27, Washington 22, Cardona 19, Alapag 8, Billones 8, Noble 6, Belano 5, Ritualo 4, Ferreria 2, Fran 2, Cardona 2.
Quarterscores: 25-17, 45-44, 75-62, 98-98 (reg.), 111-105 (OT).

Second Game

San Miguel 104 – Ildefonso 18, Tenorio 16, Villanueva 15, Seigle 12, Hontiveros 11, Fonacier 6, Wilson 6, Tugade 4, Eman 4, Gonzales 4, Villanueva J., 3, Calaguio 3, Racela 2.
Red Bull 102 – Najorda 21, Pennisi 17, Robinson 12, Valenzuela 11, Sharma 7, Cruz 4, Baguio 4, Camaso 4, Hrabak 4, Membrere 4, Bugia 4, Duncil 3, Andaya 2, Adriano 2, Ybanez 1.
Quarterscores: 27-23, 45-51, 71-77, 104-102.