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RYAN
GREGORIO believes he has found the antidote that would
enable his troops to endure the physicality of the
championship series.
The
outspoken Purefoods coach confessed he went through
sleepless nights the past few days trying to figure out
how to beat the Sta. Lucia Realtors, who had looked
invincible in Games One and Two.
But he
was bold and daring when he spoke at a news conference
Wednesday night, visibly relieved in the aftermath of
the Giants’ 118-107 victory in Game Three of the
Smart-Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup
Finals.
“Now, we
can say we can win. I think that’s the most important
thing,” declared Gregorio. And the way he figured it, he
likes their chances of tying the series.
Game
Four of the best-of-seven series is scheduled at 7
o’clock tonight at Araneta Coliseum.
“I think
we found the formula [to beat Sta. Lucia]. And that’s to
play tough,” said Gregorio, admitting the past few days
were stressful as he tried to outline a master plan that
will work against the Realtors.
Looks
like he had discovered the right game plan.
After
being smothered in Games One and Two, the Giants finally
managed to stand its ground Wednesday night and didn’t
back off when the push came to shove.
It was
also a great move on the part of Gregorio to reduce the
playing minutes of James Yap and Kerby Raymundo—enabling
the two stars to stay fresh in the crucial stretch of
the game—and allowed the bench to get involved in
offense.
Although
he struggled with his shooting,
Yap led all scorers in Game Three with 29 points, while Raymundo,
who picked up his fifth foul late in the third quarter,
added 26 points that went with his eight rebounds and
six assists.
Reserve
guard Jun Simon contributed 26 points, including 12 in
the third period, to carry the fight for the Giants
while their two stars were taking a breather and led a
remarkable support by Purefoods bench which outscored
Sta. Lucia’s, 58-44.
“We
showed great survival instinct. We played tougher and
didn’t back down from all the physicality that we’ve
been doing the past games.
“We were
also able to stop their import…I’m referring to Kelly
Williams, whose playing like an import in Games One and
Two,” said Gregorio, who is aspiring to win for the
franchise its eighth championship and fifth All-Filipino
title.
Williams, who led the Realtors’ offense in the first two
games of the series with 24 and 23 points, respectively,
was held to just 10 points in Game Three that saw him
also cornering14 rebounds for his third double-double
effort in the series.
“We
didn’t back down. My players played with their hearts
out. I thought we deserve to win. But Purefoods came out
strong and played really well tonight,” said Sta. Lucia
coach Boyet Fernandez.
Although
the momentum is on the side of Purefoods, the pressure
to win Game Four rests evenly on the shoulders of both
protagonists.
Another
victory by Purefoods to even the series at 2-2 will
provide the Giants with a big psychological edge and
possibly crush the Realtors’ confidence.
But
Fernandez knows well that should Sta. Lucia recovers to
take a 3-1 lead, it will be tough for the Giants to
prevent his victory ride.
“This is
definitely a well-matched game,” said Gregorio, baffled
by the ability of both teams to score more than 100
points a game.
“I just
don’t know why we’re both scoring over 100. We scored
over a 100 [Game Three] and they scored over a 100 the
last three games. And we’re bragging this series will be
won on defense. We have to see the tape and find out
what’s happening along the way.” |
