Giants, Yap choke Realtors in stretch

James Yap and Kerby Raymundo, though coming out flat, still found ways to deliver crucial plays as Purefoods Tender Juicy started another streak in the 2007-08 Smart PBA Philippine Cup with an 84-81 win over Sta. Lucia Realty last night at the Araneta Coliseum.

Yap and Raymundo combined for eight points in the final quarter, preserving the sterling efforts of reserves Chico Lanete, Peter June Simon and Robert Sanz as the front-running Giants jacked up their win-loss record to 9-1.

They have made it two in a row since Red Bull handed them their first loss in the season in a road game in Tacloban Nov. 17.

The Realtors suffered their first loss in their last three games and moved down to seventh at 4-5.

“It was our bench mob that delivered for us. Our starters looked tired playing our fourth game in the last 12 days. Good thing, Chico Lanete and Rob Sanz played probably their best game in their young PBA careers,” said Purefoods coach Ryan Gregorio.

“It’s a good escape win for us before we plunge back into action versus Magnolia Friday,” Gregorio added.

Lanete, Purefoods’ prized recruit from the free agent pool, produced 12 points, three rebounds, two assists and two steals in 17 minutes of action while Sanz, another freshman from PCU, contributed six points, three rebounds, two assists and one steal in 14 minutes.

Yap, the 2006 MVP winner, was 0-of-6 from the three-point area and 6-of-12 from the two-point zone. Worse was Raymundo who made only seven points on 3-of-8 field-goal shooting.