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 Survived Despite Unbelievable Calls from the Officials

I never watched Game 1. I am only watching Barangay Ginebra Kings (BGK) and Purefoods TJ Giants (PF) games. My friend, whom I treated as my younger sister asked me to update her of the game since she won't be ablt to watch it. And it's my pleasure updating her.

To my surprise, James Carlos Yap will be playing. News had told that he might not play due to injury. As what the commentators said, two Yaps (James and Roger) are missing. But not this time. J. Yap is there to play.

PF had a poor start. Air21 Express showcased a full court press. They had their, uhm, good defense. First Quarter ended with 15-22 in favor of Air21. I thought PF would lead at the Second Quarter with 35-32 in favor of Air21 before the Quarter ends. But, it was so disappointing since it ended 37-43, still, in favor of Air21.

But my hopes ain't over. I felt good when they tied at 53 despite the dirty defense exhibited by Air21. It even become more exciting since it was Kerby Raymundo who make the basket for the lead. It was a 3 point play for him. Seems like the momentum was now in PF. Homer Se just had an air ball after PF got the lead. Not just that, Air21 had committed a lot of fouls, ha ha. Not only players, but Coach Bo Perasol as well. *wink wink* It is not surprising. Perasol and Air21 is used to it, ha ha. It was 72-66 in favor of PF at the end of Third Quarter.

Now, this one's unbelievable. Team manager Alvin Patrimonio was called for a technical foul? Say what?! Oh well, how could Patrimonio not react to the offensive foul called against Enrico Villanueva when it was supposed to be a 3-point play. Hmmm, smells something fishy huh? I just can't believe it. I just said 'booooooooooooooo'. That technical foul was followed by three more technicals. One for Coach Ryan Gregorio who did nothing, and two for Topex Robinson. Topex made me laugh, ha ha. He, himself asked for the second technical foul from the referee. And he was ejected from the game. No R. Yap, now, no Topex. It was all Chico Lanete. And know what? Lanete was pushed by Wynne Arboleda, no foul. Making Arboleda shot a 3 point basket. Then showed his tongue. Grrrr..

But, I admired PF team. Despite unbelievable and almost one-sided calls, they managed to stay focused. It was 80 all with 4 minutes remaining in the Fourth Quarter. 89-86 in favor of Air21 with 1:38 minutes left. Still everybody's ballgame. I can't remember who made the basket, but it was 89-88 in favor of Air21 with 1:16 minutes left. The ball game was so exciting. It was 92-91 in favor of Air21 with only 40 seconds left. Kerby now has 32 big points. I almost gave up. It was 96-91 with only 23.5 seconds remaining. But Kerby never let me down. He just scored a 3 pointer to make it 96-94. Whew! In the last play before the end of the pay off period, it was 97-94 in favor of Air21. PF has no time out left. Kerby attempted another 3 point shot but failed to gain the basket. But J. Yap had the offensive rebound against Arwind Santos with about 3 seconds left. He had his turn around 3 point shot, and it was a tie ball game at the end of the 4th Quarter. This was the 3rd game where PF would be playing for an Over Time.

It was all because of Kerby and J. Yap. It's our night. Aaron Aban stand out as well for me, in defense particularly. It was 105-100 in favor of PF with 1:27 minutes remaining. 105-103 with 58.6 seconds remaining. 108-103 with 14.9 seconds remaining courtesy of the should be flagrant foul of Arboleda, but was called as a regular foul instead. 108-105 with 3.7 seconds remaining, PF's ball, and... we won!!!

And who could be the Best Player of the Game? None other than Kerby 'The Kid' Raymundo who scored almost 1/3 of the PF's score. Double-Double, 37 big points and 11 rebounds. Congrats Kerby!!! Congrats J. Yap!!! Congrats PF!!!

Scores:

Purefoods 108 -- Raymundo 37, Yap J. 31, Villanueva 13, Lanete 7, Aban 7, Belga 4, Fernandez 4, Simon 3, Alonzo 2, Salvador 0, Robinson 0.

Air21 103 -- Arboleda 25, Se 25, David 21, Santos 18, De Ocampo 4, Quinahan 3, Billones 3, Kramer 2, Intal 2, Canaleta 2, Cruz 0, Sta. Maria 0.

Quarterscores: 15-22, 37-43, 72-66, 97-97 (reg.), 108-105 (OT)