Purefoods 91, Alaska 73

(PBA.ph) Marc Pingris poured in 15 points in the first to lead an inspired effort by the Purefoods Chunkee reserves and James Yap took over in the second half as the Giants beat the Alaska Aces 91-73 Sunday night in the Gran Matador Brandy-PBA Philippine Cup at the Araneta Coliseum.

The 6-foot-3 power forward did a little of everything on both ends as the Giants picked up their second straight win and pull abreast with the San Miguel Beermen (3-2) at second place behind leader Coca-Cola Tigers, who remain unbeaten in four games as of presstime.

The third overall pick in the 2004 Draft, Pingris was at his sharpest in the second quarter, scoring 11 of his 15 first half points in the period to spark the Giants’ breakaway.

Acquired from Air21 during the off season, the energetic banger scored all his second quarter points during a decisive 22-7 blast which propelled the Giants to a commanding 18-point advantage.

The Pozzorubio, Pangasinan native capped that terrific quarter with three rebounds, one assist, two steals and two blocks as the Giants closed the first half with a 46-34 lead.

“Mark started our rally in the first half and James (
Yap) got into a rhythm in the second half,” said Purefoods Chunkee head coach Ryan Gregorio, referring to the two key figures that propelled them to victory.

“Again our defense held up and we shot better from the field,” Gregorio added.

What Pingris started in the first half, James Yap continued in the second, firing 11 of his game-high 22 points in the third quarter to keep the Giants in control and the Aces at bay.

Kerby Raymundo had 14 points and Eugene Tejada had another stellar performance with 12 points as Purefoods Chunkee’s bench outscored
Alaska’s, 37-21.

“The good thing about this team is that it doesn’t need motivation. They are well motivated and it all started with the loss to Talk ‘N Text (in
Hong Kong),” Gregorio said. “That humiliation tickled our pride.”

Nic Belasco scored 21 points and had 13 rebounds to show the way for the Aces, who are now 0-3 against the Giants this season, the only team
Alaska hasn’t beaten dating back to the previous conference.

The Aces were only in the game in the first quarter that saw them trailing the Giants by three. But they faded in the next period the moment they encountered an offensive meltdown.
Alaska picked up its third loss in six games.

Against the Giants, the Aces shot just 38 percent (27-of-70) and was beaten in practically all key departments. Purefoods outrebounded
Alaska, 45-41, and earned a 16-9 edge in second chance points.

The Giants also gained a surprising 13-0 advantage on fastbreak points against the Aces, who also gave up 19 turnover points. (DBC)

The scores:

Purefoods 91 – Yap J. 22, Pingris 15, Raymundo 14, Tejada 12, Yap R. 8, Limpot 6, Castillo 6, Artadi 3, Yee 3, Billones 2, Gamboa 0, Evangelista 0.

Alaska 73 – Belasco 21, Hugnatan 12, Allado 11, dela Cruz 8, Cariaso 7, Cortez 5, Bajar 3, Thoss 2, Wilson 2, Laure 2.

Quarterscores: 21-18, 46-34, 70-54, 91-73.