Giants tower over Barakos

The Purefoods Chunkee Giants brandished with a 16-2 run in the fourth period enroute to escaping with a 97-95 victory over the Red Bull Barako in the 2005 PBA San Mig Coffee Fiesta Conference at the Araneta Coliseum.

The Chunkee Giants, who led most of the way, needed only to protect a 94-92 lead in the final 1:45 of the ballgame but after a crucial miss by hotshot rookie James Yap, Red Bull import Quemont Greer completed a three-point play off a foul by Kerby Raymundo with only 9.7 seconds left for a 95-all deadlock.

It was import Marquien Chandler who gave the Giants a 95-92 edge still with 1:45 to go in the fourth period. In the ensuing play, rookie offguard Larry Fonaier made a good save to Greer who completed a three-point play for his 34th point of the evening.

While an overtime game is brewing up, Noy Castillo made a nice escape after a Purefoods' inbound to score the winning basket, 97-95, with only 1.8 seconds remaining to avert what could have been a five-minute extension.

Castillo was left open as Red Bulls' Green and Topex Robinson double-teamed Chandler, who made the unselfish pass to Castillo.

The victory gave the Giants an 8-2 win-loss record as they continue to remain on top of the standings. On the other hand, the Barakos who defeated the Barangay Ginebra Kings the other day, fell to 5-5 win-loss record.

Yap, who is currently no. 2 in statistical points for the Best Player of the Conference, led the Giants' offense with 23 points including five carooms.

Chandler, who was not a big factor last night, had only 16 points but Yap, Raymundo and Castillo were actively supporting for the Giants' offense.