Tuesday, November 25, 2008

VILLANUEVA LIFTS PUREFOODS PAST SMB

VILLANUEVA LIFTS PUREFOODS PAST SMB
Giants arrest 2-game skid
Sunday, 23 November 2008

Still struggling with injuries to key players, the Purefoods Tender Juicy Giants got one big push on one
big shot by Enrico Villanueva against the San Miguel Beermen.Villanueva scored on a left-handed shot
underneath the basket on an assist by Kerby Raymundo in the dying seconds as the Giants squeaked past the
Beermen, 84-83, in the KFC PBA Philippine Cup at the Astrodome Sunday night."We've been struggling and win
like this is definitely a welcome development. This is one big push towards our goal of still making it to the
top," said Purefoods coach Ryan Gregorio.
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"Ang hirap manalo sa tournament na ito. Manalo ka nang isa, para ka nang nag-champion. All our wins are like
this -- buzzer-beater or overtime. We're playing hurt. The good thing is that the guys are just keeping on
fighting," Gregorio also said.Still playing minus Peter June Simon and Roger Yap and with James Yap half-
healthy, the Giants gutted it out to notch their sixth win against seven losses.Villanueva came through with a
double-double game and emerged the Giants' biggest hero by converting the winning basket just before the
final buzzer sounded.The Purefoods mentor actually designed the play for Raymundo as they got possession
following a 24-second violation by the Beermen with only 5.7 ticks left to play.Attracting a double-team
defense, Raymundo had the presence of mind in handing the ball to Villanueva who quickly took the shot
breaking the heart of the Beermen.Dondon Hontiveros had his own big shot earlier, making a tough fade-away
off Yap to push the Beermen ahead at 83-82 with 34.7 seconds left to play.The Beermen appeared already
headed for the win when Mick Pennisi drew an offensive foul from Yap in the ensuing play.Alas, the Beermen
broke down in their final offensive thrust and in their final defensive stance, thus, suffering a third straight loss
and their fifth in 12 games in all."This is a big win considering we got it against one of the elite teams in the
league right now," said Gregorio.Despite the loss, the Beermen remained at second place, two games behind
the pace-setting Alaska Milk Aces. At joint third are Air21 and Sta. Lucia at 6-5.Raymundo led all scorers with
25 points while Villanueva finished with 12 points and 11 rebounds.San Miguel was paced by Lordy Tugade
and Dorian Pena with 18 and 17, respectively. (NC)
the scores:
Purefoods 84 -- Raymundo 25, Villanueva 12, Aban 11, Belga 10, Yap 7, Robinson 6, Lanete 5, Bugia 5,
Alvarez 3, Fernandez 0
San Miguel 83 -- Tugade 18, Pena 17, Custodio 13, Washington 13, Hontiveros 9, Villanueva 5, Racela 5,
Gonzales 3, Eman 0, Calaguio 0, Pennisi 0
Quarterscores: 18-16, 45-38, 64-63, 84-83

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