Giants overpower Bulls, stay at 2nd

MANILA, Philippines - Marquin Chandler got away with another explosive performance as Purefoods stretched its streak to three games and firmed up its hold of second place in the Motolite PBA Fiesta Conference after a 96-92 decision over Barako Bull last night at the Olivares College gym in Parañaque.

Chandler went 3-of-6 from the three-point area and totaled a game-high 35 points that went with 12 rebounds and four assists, leading the Giants to their seventh win against four losses.

James Yap, Kerby Raymundo and Topex Robinson also had key plays, helping the Giants get past the Energy Boosters in the game delayed for about half an hour by drippings from the gym roof during a heavy downpour outside the venue in the second half.

Barako Bull led by as many as 11 points early on and was ahead by two, 67-65, when game officials ordered the halt with 2:33 left in the third period.

The Energy Boosters seemed to lose the momentum on the game-stoppage. They fell behind, 70-73, at the end of the quarter and failed to recover.

Daryan Selvy had a near triple-double job with 32 points, 14 rebounds and eight assists but he himself cooled down at the resumption of play.

Worse, he committed two crucial errors down the stretch, hastening their sixth straight loss and their 10th in 12 games overall.

A win by Alaska Milk over San Miguel Beer today will ease Barako Bull out of contention for the top eight. A ninth or 10th place finish in the classification round will require Barako Bull to win two in a row in the first round of the playoffs to get into the next phase.

Its amazing streak stopped by Rain or Shine the last time out, front-running San Miguel looks to immediately get back on track to keep a safe distance from the rest of the field as it tangles with Alaska Milk tonight at the Araneta Coliseum.