MANILA, Philippines?Scared out of its wits early and with James Yap hobbled by an old injury, Purefoods turned to Kerby Raymundo in the fourth quarter Wednesday night to scuttle a stubborn Red Bull crew, 77-73, and get its KFC-PBA Philippine Cup campaign off on a bright note.
The Tender Juicy Giants trailed by as many as 15 points in the first half then played brilliantly when it mattered most as Raymundo outscored the entire Barako squad in the payoff frame at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
?I think we also took it easy in the first half and almost paid the price for it,? said Purefoods coach Ryan Gregorio. ?The positive (thing) about this win is that James (Yap) had an off-night and we still found a way to win.?
The 6-foot-6 Raymundo scored 11 of his game-high 23 points in the fourth period to make up for the inability of the Giants? other go-to-guy, Yap, to deliver at the crunch.
Raymundo also finished with 15 rebounds and three blocks to lead the Giants, who also got 18 points from Peter June Simon off the bench. Simon also helped rally Purefoods by shooting 13 in the third.
Bothered by a recurring right ankle sprain, Yap finished with just eight points on 2-of-17 shooting from the field. He missed all his seven attempts from the three-point area as the Giants trailed most of the way and looked ready to fall.
Red Bull, with national coach Yeng Guiao calling the shots, led 43-28 at the break, and was ahead 67-60 with 9:35 left in the fourth quarter before two long scoreless spells doomed the unpredictable Barako.
Purefoods first blanked Red Bull for nearly four minutes to creep within 64-67, before holding the Barako hitless again in a five-minute span for a 75-69 lead heading into the final 1:34.
?The only thing predictable about Red Bull is its unpredictability; Red Bull is always tough to beat,? added Gregorio.
?They may have lost a lot of players, but as long as coach Yeng (Guiao) is there, Red Bull will always contend.?
The scores:
First Game
PUREFOODS 77?Raymundo 23, Simon 18, Villanueva 15, Yap R. 9, Yap J. 8, Bugia 2, Robinson 2, Belga 0, Alonzo 0, Lanete 0, Aban 0, Salvador 0.
RED BULL 73?Espinas 18, Baguio 10, Duncil 9, Najorda 9, Cruz 7, Rodriguez 6, Chan 5, Hubalde 5, Alvarez 4, Ybańez 0, Hrabak 0.
Quarters: 18-28, 28-43, 58-63, 77-73
