Purefoods lost to TNT

TALK N TEXT SIZZLES IN BIG 108-99 WIN OVER GIANTS
Carey leads 6 Pals in double figures
Wednesday, 04 October 2006

It probably has something to do with Asi's new 'do, but nevertheless Talk N' Text Phonepals was impressive!

Barry Pascua couldn't put it any better in the first quarter by saying that both teams were just exchanging jabs to size up one another. It was really tightly contested. At one point, Purefoods lead by as many as 4 points but TNT came roaring back to grab the lead by 1. That was pretty much the story of the first inning although, it was clear that TNT was the more agressive team having to score from offensive rebounds and on excellent plays set-up by Alapag.

Now, the real turning point of the game happened in the second quarter when TNT stepped on the gas to erect a fat 20 point advantage at 50-30. And to think that they were able to do that with Asi languishing on the bench made it even more frustrating for me. Jay-Wash, Mac Cardona and Harvey Carey triumverate became "the" thorn on Purefoods cause. They were scrappy and quicker to the ball. They all made Purefoods look like fat cats and the thing is, RG has been preaching his boys to be quicker and faster so seeing them being beaten on every loose ball is really not very pleasing. I thought I was watching a different team, not the champion PF team I knew.

Fortunately, Purefoods was able to comeback in the 2nd half. Coach Ryan might've given them a mouthful in the locker room so they came out with more intensity especially on the defensive end. From 23, they were able to trim down the lead by as low as 7 point at the end of the 3rd. Then, I was practically up on my feet in excitement in the 4th quarter when PJ, James and Kerby combined their powers to make the lead even more manageable. But TNT kept plugging away too, especially behind the guns of Ren Ren Ritualo. In fact, it was him who made the 6-point swing in favor of TNT when he buried a shot from the rainbow territory. While in the preceeding play, James muffed a wide open trey which could've reduced the lead to 4. It was perhaps the play that summarized the story of the game. It's absolutely apparent that TNT has the rhythm and the better feel of the game at this point while PF is still struggling to get back to their old form.

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The other thing I notice was the impressive play of Jay Washington. From the looks of it, he seems to have earned the confidence that would help him justify his being the number 1 over-all pick last year. Jay was running the whole time, dunking the ball a couple of times, one is on a put back. He was very active and quick to the ball which was a far-cry on his performance during his first few games in the league. He must've learned so much in the off-season. He'll surely be a big help to Taulava, Pablo and Carey on the rebounding department. Same time, I wonder what Air21 had to say about him after the game. They're probably scratching their heads now.

Mark Andaya, had a very amusing debut. He was hustling, he was trying to get as many rebounds as he can and I was really happy about his performance. I think he'll be a decent back-up center.

Boyet Bautista wasn't able to register his first 2 points as a pro but he definitely made a decent account of himself. He almost had his first assist if only Yee was able to score on a lay-up. Sayang, pinaganda pa, eh. With the limited minutes that he played, he showed that he's quick and he's a pure point-guard. He looks very minute though on TV. But I'll take Coach Alas word that amongs the other Letranite draftees, Boyet is the one who can make an immediate impact.

James Yap and Kerby Raymundo, our 1-2 punch had a lackluster performance. James misfired alot in the 1st half and committed costly TO in the 4th quarter. Kerby on the other hand, had also his share of missed shots and errors. Apparently, he's not feeling well because of his ankle injury. Nonetheless, seeing them score in double digits while not yet a 100% makes me feel optimistic.

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Purefoods next assigment is on Saturday, against Ginebra. I expect it to be an even thougher match-up for the Giants but but if they will display the same kind of push, the never-say-die attitude, I think they still have the chance to beat BGK.