Another Sorry Loss for Talk N' Text Courtesy of Purefoods' Teamwork

Remember the buzzer beater of Chico Lanete? It was a hurt breaking game for the Talk N' Text Tropang Texters (TNT). When all the while they thought they would win the game, a buzzer beater from Lanete erases those smiles from their faces.

Their 2nd encounter was almost the same I can still see the smiles of Mac Mac Cardona and Jason Castro, who thought that they had revenged from their sorry loss. They wish. But, there's no star to grant their wishes, hi hi. Purefoods TJ Giants (PF) come back from a 17 point deficit to win the game 93-96. Sorry Cardona, sorry Castro, PF's team work ate your hearts out.Ü

I remember Kerby Raymundo can't get his basket. But, no need to blame him since he never forgets to make assists. Well, it was pretty obvious that a point guard should lead the team in assists. Know what? Raymundo is the 2nd team leader in assists as far as PF is concern. I really find it amazing how he finds an open man for the easy basket. And the lucky recipient has almost always been Enrico Villanueva. Probably the main reason why Villanueva got his offense going. But in this ballgame, it was not just Villanueva who got the pretty dishes from Raymundo. James Yap also had that beautiful assist from Raymundo making him earn a 3 point basket. One thing that also enabled Villanueva earned easy baskets is on how Raymundo stretched his hands to clear away the opponents' defense. Great job for The Kid, he's The Man.Ü

J. Yap, he had a big game. His shots must not be compared to Cardona's. J. Yap's shots are graceful and artistic. I remember his layups in the first half. He did it gracefully in the right side, then he did the same move on the left side. Cardona's shot, as what Jason Webb described it, is an ugly one, ha ha ha. Well, J. Yap never disappoints the fans with his brilliant moves. I cheered for him as he passed against the tight defense of 2 TNT players. And I always clap my hands whenever he shot the 3 point heart breaker.Ü

Speaking of teamwork, I bet TNT got surprised when the 3 point baskets come from the least expected guards - Lanete, Topex Robinson, and Roger Yap. Oh, I missed R. Yap so much. This game is the first time that I saw him play again. Nice to see you back R. Yap.

The Best Player of the Game (BPG) is Villanueva. He punctuated the ballgame with a slam. With Raymundo giving him the benefit of being freed from the opponent's defense, he returned the favor with his points. And I admire the way he plays. I admire him even more when he exhibited a kind heart when I happen to meet him after their game against the Barangay Ginebra Kings (BGK). Well, it was a double-double for Villanueva, 24 points and 10 rebounds. I wonder how Cardona and Castro can smile after the game, hee hee. PF breaks their hearts once more. PF is definitely the team with whom you can't be complacent. PF is the team that holds the record for coming back from a 29 point deficit. They even come back from a 6 point lead with less than 24 seconds remaining. Well, it was just another sorry loss for the TNT.

Purefoods TJ Giants Buzzer Beaters

I have been loving watching Purefoods TJ Giants (PF) games. Aside from Barangay Ginebra Kings (BGK), I am a PF fanatic. Aside from Chris Pacana, I'm a Kerby Raymundo fan.

Well, I've collected three (3) of the most exciting ball games of PF. Their buzzer beaters. It would really make your body hair stand for excitement and happiness.

James Yap Buzzer Beater

He had done this many times before. And he did it once more. That's why he had been called 'The Big Game James'. It was PF vs Air21 Express on October 31, 2008. If you never know what PF can do, you might lose your hopes in the last minute of the 4th Quarter. It was 25 seconds remaining, Air21 had their 5 point lead (91-96). But Kerby, having his career high, never gave up yet. His 3 point shot provide greater hopes for the PF team. 15 seconds remaining, Air21 ball, 94-96. PF have no choice but to foul. They had fouled Gary David. Luckily, David missed one (1) of his two (2) charities, only extending the lead to 3 points (94-97), with 12.9 seconds remaining. Good it is that Enrico Villanueva had reached in for the rebound. PF has no time out left. Rico passed the ball to Chico Lanete. Chico crosses the half court and dished the ball to Jonathan Fernandez. Tan-Tan then gave the ball to Kerby. Kerby, with the clock winding down, makes a 3 point attempt, but his shot doesn't go. James battled for the rebound against Arwind Santos. He turned around, shoot the ball, and *kaboom*, he made a 3 pointer, extending the ball game for 5 more minutes. And all their efforts are worth it. They won the ball game, 108-105, with Kerby as the Best Player of the Game (BPG), having 37 big points and 11 big rebounds.

Chico Lanete Buzzer Beater

There's no Roger Yap for PF, so someone from the point guard (PG) position has to step up. And that would be, Chico this time. November 7, 2008, PF vs Talk N' Text Tropang Texters (TNT), 25.2 seconds remaining, 87-86 in favor of TNT. James has the leather, he passed it to Rico, then Rico passed it to Kerby. Only about 10 seconds left, Kerby take the shot, but he missed it. Rico battled for the lose ball, and gave it to Chico who had struggled for the ball as well against Mac-Mac Cardona. The moment he got a good grip of the leather, with only a second left, he just takes the shot, and he did it. A miracle shot from the all night hot, Chico Lanete. PF won, 88-87. And who else could be the BPG, yes, it's Chico. He has his career high of 24 big points, with 5/7 from the 3 point territory.

Enrico Villanueva Buzzer Beater

The most recent of the PF buzzer beater games was courtesy of Rico. It was PF vs San Miguel Beermen (SMB) on a PBA Sunday, November 23, 2008, my birthday. The score was 82-83 in favor of SMB with only 5.7 seconds remaining. Again, it was Kerby who made it possible for PF to reach this one. James, though having a high-fever, still played. Unfortunately, he can't deliver the points he used to contribute. It was 76-81 back on 2:44 minutes when Kerby hit a 3 pointer. Still anybody's ballgame. Not only that, Kerby made a back-to-back basket. He had a 3-point play opportunity, letting the PF to gain the lead, 82-81. But SMB won't give up. They have all the time to get the lead back, and all the stars of PBA, ha ha. Yes, SMB is an all-star studded team. And almost for the last 2 minutes, no one had earned a basket. Not until DonDon Hontiveros had his fade away shot, grabbing the lead 82-83 with 34.7 seconds remaining. It's PF's turn to turn the ball over. But, James had been called for an offensive foul against Mic Penisi who, as what the officials had said, already established his position. But believe me, Penisi is moving, it should not be an offensive foul. But, it was the break of the game. Only 30 seconds left, SMB ball. It was a bright idea for Coach Ryan Gregorio not to let his players commit a foul. Anyway, there would be 6 seconds left after the play to be executed by SMB. Luckily, SMB failed to get a basket, Penisi just throw an airball. With 5.7 seconds remaining, Coach Ryan called for a time out. And I just love what Coach Ryan had told his men, 'We'll gonna win this guys'. Yeah, that's my Coach. The play was designed for Kerby. He's the man of the hour. He was the one who scored the last 6 points of the team. But with the double, then triple defense of SMB, he can't get away to take the shot, but he got away to pass the ball to the free Rico underneath the basket to win the ball game. And yes, it was Kerby's night again. It was Kerby's birthday gift for me, hi hi. He got 25 points, 2 rebounds, and 3 assists. And, in case you don't know, he was still suffering from amoebiasis that night.

Enjoy! I love these games!