Giants take Game 1 of PBA Philippine Cup finals

4 Feb 2010 Purefoods Tender Juicy made key plays in the closing minutes to pull off an 81-77 win in Game 1 of the best-of-7 championship series of the KFC-PBA Philippine Cup Wednesday night at the Araneta Coliseum.

Roger Yap made a crucial offensive rebound and an important tap in the dying seconds to save the game for the Giants for a 1-0 lead in the series.

James Yap led all scorers with 24 points while Kerby Raymundo and Marc Pinrgis added 15 and 13 markers respectively for Purefoods. Pinrgis also had 13 rebounds.

"I may sound a broken record but our defense held on today," said Giants head coach Ryan Gregorio.

"The only way to beat a fluid team like Alaska to play tough defense and limiting them to 77 after averaging more than 100 in the semis is well within our target," he added.

Roger Yap scored only 5 points but had 7 rebounds and 5 assists and made two crucial plays that helped Purefoods escape with the win.

The Giants were holding a 78-74 lead on Rafi Reavis's basket with 2:22 left in the game.

LA Tenorio and Willie Miller missed their attempts in the next possessions of the Aces and Reavis padded their lead to 80-74 with a lay-up, 35.9 seconds remaining.

Miller redeemed himself as he buried a triple to put Alaska back, 77-80, 29.2 seconds left.

The Aces had the chance to come closer when KG Canaleta missed a triple but Roger Yap tapped the ball to Canaleta and was fouled by Tony dela Cruz.

The two-time Slam Dunk champion split his free throws for an 81-77 lead and after Miller lost the ball while going to the hoop, Roger Yap again made an important play by hitting the ball to their frontcourt and wasted precious seconds.

Miller led Alaska with 23 points but shot 9-of-27 from the field. Joe Devance was the only Ace in double figures in scoring with 10. - www.abs-cbnnews.com

Scores:

Purefoods 81 - Yap J. 24, Raymundo 15, Pingris 13, Canaleta 8, Reavis 6, Allado 6, Yap R. 5, Maierhofer 2, Simon 2, Artadi 0.

Alaska 77 - Miller 23, De Vance 10, Thoss 9, Tenorio 8, Hugnatan 8, Borboran 7, Cablay 4, Ferriols 3, Fonacier 0, Cariaso 0.