PUREFOODS SEEKS EQUALIZER
Ryan Gregorio believes he has found the antidote that would enable his troops to endure the physicality of the ongoing championship series.
The outspoken Purefoods coach confessed he went through sleepless nights trying to figure how to win against the Sta. Lucia Realtors, who had looked invincible in Games 1 and 2.
But he was bold and daring when he spoke at the post-game news conference Wednesday night, visibly relieved in the aftermath of the Giants' 118-107 victory in Game 3 of the 2007-08 Smart PBA Philippine Cup Finals.
"Now we can say we can win. I think that's the most important thing," declared Gregorio.
And now that the Giants have won, they better make sure they go out and tie the series when the two teams meet again 7 p.m. Friday at the Araneta Coliseum for Game 4 of the best-of-seven series.
Why?
Because of the news they got Thursday evening.
The Commissioner’s Office slapped Purefoods leading scorer James Yap a P20,000 fine plus a one-game suspension for hitting Joseph Yeo in the face in the final minute of Game 3 Wednesday. But since the sanctions were arrived at and relayed to the Purefoods camp late in the day, Yap will be serving his one-game suspension on Game 5 Sunday.
This means the Giants will still have a full arsenal Friday to tie the series up.
Gregorio, in the same news conference Wednesday said, “I think we found the formula (to beat Sta. Lucia). And that's to play tough."
After being smothered in Games 1 and 2, the Giants finally managed to stand their ground against the Realtors on Wednesday night and didn't back off when push came to shove.
It was also a great move on the part of Gregorio to reduce the playing minutes of James Yap and Kerby Raymundo – enabling the two stars to stay fresh in the crucial stretch of the game -- and allow the bench to get involved on offense.
Although he struggled with his shooting, James Yap led all scorers in Game 3 with 29 points while Raymundo, who picked up his fifth foul late in the third quarter, added 26 points that went with his eight rebounds and six assists.
Reserve guard Jun Simon contributed 26 points including 12 in the third period to carry the fight for the Giants while their two stars were taking a breather and led a remarkable support by Purefoods bench which outscored Sta. Lucia's, 58-44.
"We showed great survival instinct. We played tougher and didn't back down from all the physicality that we've been doing the past games.
"We were also able to stop their import … I'm referring to Kelly Williams who played like an import in Games 1 and 2," said Gregorio, who is aspiring to win for the franchise its eighth championship and fifth All-Filipino title.
Williams, who led the Realtors’ offense in the first two games of the series with 24 and 23 points, was held to just 10 points in Game 3 that saw him also cornering14 rebounds for his third double-double effort in the series.
"We didn't back down. My players played with their hearts out. I thought we deserve to win. But Purefoods came out strong and played really well tonight," said Sta. Lucia coach Boyet Fernandez after suffering his first Finals defeat as chief tactician.
Another victory by Purefoods to even the series at 2-2 will provide the Giants with a big psychological edge, aside from crushing the Realtors’ confidence.
But Fernandez knows well that should Sta. Lucia recover to take a 3-1 lead, it will be tough for the Giants to prevent his victory ride.
"This is definitely a well-matched game," said Gregorio, baffled by the ability of both teams to score more than 100 points a game.
"I just don't know why we’re both scoring over 100. We scored over a 100 tonight (Game 3) and they scored over a 100 the last three games. And we’re bragging this series will be won on defense. We have to see the tape and find out what's happening along the way," the youthful Purefoods mentor added.
Source:pba.ph
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