Purefoods just a win away from KFC-PBA Finals

Purefoods Tender Juicy Giants are just a win away of entering the KFC-PBA Philippine Cup finals after beating San Miguel Beer, 94-82, in Game 5 of their best-of-7 semifinal series held Friday.

The troika of Kerby Raymundo, Roger Yap and James Yap spearheaded the Giants’ strong start, while its second unit also delivered to maintain the big lead and take a 3-2 lead in the series.

Purefoods can close out the battle with another win on Sunday and gain the right to meet Alaska Aces in the best-of-7 championship series.

The Aces swept Barangay Ginebra, 4-0, in their own best-of-7 semifinal duel.

Raymundo and Roger Yap each had 18 points for Purefoods while James Yap added 17 for the Giants, who are inching closer to their 21st finals appearance overall, and 13th in All-Filipino tournaments.

“We are very much aware that it takes four wins to take the series so there’s no reason for us to celebrate until we win the next game,” said Purefoods mentor Ryan Gregorio.

“There will be no let up. We don’t want to give them a chance and hopefully we’ll make it,” he added.

Since 1999, 21 of the 26 teams which took a 3-2 lead in the best-of-7 series after a 2-2 split went on to win the series, with 14 of them clinching it in Game 6.

Defense again helped the Giants take the win as they did not give the Beermen the chance to get their rhythm and make a run in the final 12 minutes of the game.

The victory was the first back-to-back wins in the series.

Purefoods started the game with 6-0 run then took a 45-33 advantage late in the second period on Raymundo’s jumper.

Nino Canaleta, Rafi Reavis and rookie Rico Maierhofer joined the scoring fray in the second half to help the Giants build their biggest lead at 82-68 with 5:21 left in the game. Reavis’ tip in gave them a 91-78 advantage to put the game out of reach.

Anthony Washington led San Miguel with 21 points while Dennis Miranda and Arwind Santos contributed 15 and 12 markers respectively for coach Siot Tanquingcen.

Despite a 3-2 lead in the series, Gregorio said San Miguel has the capability to sweep the last two games.

“San Miguel is a very strong team. You can’t blink, you have to be vigilant,” said Gregorio.

The last time the Giants were in the finals was in the 2007-08 Philippine Cup when they lost to Sta. Lucia Realty in 7 games.