PUREFOODS NOTCHES 500TH WIN IN FRANCHISE HISTORY

Win over Express also gives Giants longest win streak under Gregorio
Wednesday, 10 May 2006


PUREFOODS Chunkee coach Ryan Gregorio was, in a way, thankful that Air 21 shipped Ren-Ren Ritualo prior to their game Sunday night at the Araneta Coliseum.

But even without the league’s third best scorer, the Giants found the Express a lot more dangerous and needed two big threes from Roger and James Yap in the stretch to salvage a 93-86 victory that sent the franchise into the record books.

Their fifth consecutive win and 10th overall in 13 games also moved the Giants on the threshold of securing one of two outright spots in the Gran Matador Brandy PBA Philippine Cup.

“I’m glad the wins come before the losses. Few weeks ago I thought the record was not achievable,” said Gregorio, referring to the victory that enabled Purefoods to join San Miguel Beer, Ginebra and Alaska as the only teams to win at least 500 games in the league’s 32-year history.

The five straight wins is also Purefoods longest win streak under Gregorio since he first took over the team in 2002.

But the Giants had to keep their poise and turn to the two Yaps when the Express threatened to turn the game around.

The Giants led by as many as 15 in the first half but the Express managed to battle back and a lay-up by Stephen Padilla with 8:29 remaining pulled the Express within 66-68.

“Without Ren-Ren, it’s easy for us to double at the post. And of course the absence of Ren-Ren means one scorer less to worry,” Gregorio explained.

But the Purefoods coach said the trade that sent Ritualo to the Talk ‘N Text Phone Pals for Leo Avenino and two future draft picks will definitely make the Express a more defensive team.

“It showed. They forced us to commit too many errors,” said Gregorio, who seemed surprised when he saw the boxscores showing they had committed 29 turnovers.

But Roger Yap and James Yap cautioned the impact of Air 21’s repeated rallies by knocking down consecutive threes that led to a 13-6 run for a comfortable 81-72 advantage with 4:04 to go.

James Yap took scoring honors with 22 points and Kerby Raymundo added 21 for the Giants, who offset their 29 turnovers by making the big shots and the crucial stops at the right time.

“This win is so special. It makes me so proud of my team. Considering that we are down to eight men and still managed to find ways to win gives us some sense of pride,” offered Gregorio, who have lost Eugene Tejada, Noy Castillo and Jondan Salvador to various injuries.

Adding to the Giants’ woes late in the first quarter was veteran forward Jun Limpot, who, after just about a minute coming into the game, went down with an ankle sprain after a jumpshot, landing his right foot on Yancy de Ocampo’s left foot and twisting it.

Ronald Tubid showed the way for the Express with 18 points. Ranidel de Ocampo had 16 and Yancy de Ocampo added 10 rebounds for the Express who pulled within one on several occasions but couldn’t make the big shots that Ritualo used to hit when the team needed it. Ritualo averages 19.5 points a game, best at Air21 and third-best overall in the conference. (DBC)

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HONESTLY, it wasn't the prettiest of games if only for the fact that they committed 29 turnovers! 29? This is way above their average of 18TOs a game! Had Air21 capitalized in all of those 29, they would have given up at least 58 points! They cannot afford to play that kind of basketball especially if they were to reach the semifinals. Errors create transition points and it help dictate the tempo in favor of fast breaking teams like Red Bull or Talk N Text. Hence, shooting themselves in the foot won’t help them establish their gritty kind of defense, that’s for sure.

Good thing JY and KR kept their composure by hitting the big shots just as Tubid and company were threatening to make a comeback. But in fairness to Air21, it looks like they are finally convinced that they can win more games if they do it on defense. With the expulsion of offensive-minded Ritualo, expect Air21 to improve their defense and grit up to a notch.

Anyway, offensively, they executed well. In fact, they shot a decent 47% from the field. They've had a lot of open looks, which ended up in either converted baskets or trips to the line. And speaking of trips to the line, PF was able to register 85.7% clip from the stripe as they only missed 4 shots in 28 attempts. This was very important as it prevented Air21 from applying a "hack-a-shaq" type of defense, which would have been possible as they have guys out there who play very physical basketball. KR went 6-of-6 from the line while JY converted 6-of-8 free throws. If they continue to shoot well from the charity line up until the playoffs, other teams would have to think of other ways to defend them aside from being physical.

Defensively, they made the right stops. They shutdown Wynne Arboleda and Nino Canaleta who shot 3-of-10 and 5-of-17 from the field. Perhaps, these guys just missed the presence of Ren Ren Ritualo but considering their abilities to score, PF still made a good job in defending against them.

There are reasons for PF followers to be glad. One, PF has won it's 5-straight. Second, they assured themselves of a playoff for the semis slot. Lastly, they entered the history book by registering their franchise' 500th victory along with BGK, SMB and Alaska.

Come to think of it, it wasn't bad after all!


PF plays Red Bull on Sunday, May 14, 2006.

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