Chandler gives Purefoods lots of beef

Marquin Chandler lived up to his billing as a do-it-all player in his debut as Purefoods Chunkee import, and the Giants dwarfed the Red Bull Barakos, 84-77, in the kickoff game of the San Mig Coffee PBA Fiesta Cup at the Araneta Coliseum last night.

Chandler imposed his dominating presence on both ends of the court and the Purefoods locals did their part as the Giants got off to a rousing start in the tourney where they finished sixth the last time.

The former San Jose State main man scored the first basket of the game on a short stab and the Giants led all the way to the finish although the Barakos closed in at endgame on a searing chase from a 22-point deficit midway through the third quarter.

James Yap paced the Purefoods locals with 23 points, including two free throws in the last 32 seconds of play that sealed the Giants’ win in the game watched by a 15,023 paying fans — the largest opening-day card by the PBA under commissioner Noli Eala.

"Things look bright for us. We have a brand-new name and a new philosophy — buo ang loob and we’re able to show that tonight," said Purefoods coach Ryan Gregorio.

"They (the Barakos) were able to come back in the fourth quarter. That just goes to show parity in the league. But we expected their comeback and what we wanted was to stay on top at the end of the game," Gregorio added.

The Giants, getting a tremendous lift from Chandler who debuted with 28 points, 26 rebounds, three blocks and two assists, enjoyed a 22-point spread at 61-39 and sat on a 69-58 cushion entering the payoff quarter.

They were still comfortably ahead at 79-68 heading into the final minute when the Barakos made a last-ditch effort to turn the game around, drawing a triple each from import Quemont Greer, Lordy Tugade and Nelson Asaytono to come within three, 77-80.

But Yap fired crucial free throws in the dying seconds, preserving the explosive game of Chandler.

The 23-year-old import had put in double-double numbers in the first half which the Hotdogs dominated at 40-27.

He made 18 points on 9-of-13 field-goal shooting and hauled down 17 rebounds that went with three blocks and two assists against three turnovers in the first 24 minutes of play.

Actually, Greer also dished out an impressive debut but support from his local teammates came a little late. The former De Paul star tallied 37 points and 15 rebounds.

PBA NOTES: PBA board chair Ely Capacio was ecstatic over the successful season inaugurals and is now looking forward to sustaining the fans’ interest on the league throughout the season. "It is good to have the crowd here. How to maintain their enthusiasm is the big question as of the moment," said Capacio although he added the league has put into effect several plans to keep luring back the crowd. "It is an integrated approach to lure back the fans. We have to make the games more interesting and conduct more in-venue activities at the same time. That way, the fans will not even think twice about coming to the games," he said. The PBA suffered from a dismal live gate attendance average last year and Capacio said this is the No. 1 priority among the league’s think-tank this year.