Kerby Raymundo played a total of 61 minutes — the longest by any local player in league history – and came through with a career-best 31 points, leading the Giants to the stirring come-from-behind victory.
James Yap, Roger Yap and Marc Pingris also had their shining moments in the stirring triumph over the Phone Pals that moved the Giants to solo fifth place with an even 3-3 win-loss record in the Talk n Text PBA Philippine Cup.
James Yap scattered 28 points, including clutch baskets that brought the Giants back into the fight in the fourth period.
The reigning Most Valuable Player awardee had seven straight points that pushed Purefoods ahead at 81-79 with time down to 31.4 seconds. The former UE Warrior, however, had a crucial in the ensuing play, allowing Talk n Text to force the first overtime.
Raymundo bungled another chance by Purefoods to wrap up the win in the first extension then Jimmy Alapag squandered Talk n Text’s own bid in the second extra period.
With Asi Taulava and Don Allado out on fouls, the Giants imposed their power at the paint in the third overtime and went on to avenge a sorry loss to the Pals in their first meeting in the tourney.
"I think with the win in this triple-overtime game, our condition will no longer be in question. We showed enough legs to finish it," said Purefoods coach Ryan Gregorio.
"It’s a character win for us. We went down by 20 points in the second quarter but we never lost heart," Gregorio added.
Gregorio said stopping Talk n Text’s fast-break plays was the key to the victory.
The Pals worked on a sleek running game early on as they erected a 20-point bulge at 38-18 spread and sat on a 43-34 cushion at halftime.
Meanwhile, Barangay Ginebra seeks to snap a two-game losing run while Coca-Cola looks to bounce back from a loss the last time out as the sister ball clubs clash in an out-of-town game in Cabagan, Isabela today.
Game time is at 6 p.m. with a huge crowd expected to troop to the Josefina T. Albano Sports Center.