TEXTERS, GIANTS AIM FOR FINAL 4 ANEW VS NOW INSPIRED KINGS, ELASTO-PAINTERS

Source: pba.com.ph

Caloy Garcia believes his team could make it two in a row to force a deciding Game 5.

The Rain or Shine coach made his pronouncement shortly after the Elasto Painters earned a new lease on life Wednesday night.

“I still believe we can make a comeback in this series, “Garcia said.

One loss away from being swept, the Elasto Painters survived another late game meltdown and beat the shorthanded Purefoods TJ Giants, 95-92, in Game 3 of their 2009-10 KFC PBA Philippine Cup quarterfinal series.

Barangay Ginebra also managed to live for another day with a 102-97 victory over Talk N’ Text in the other quarterfinal matchup also on Wednesday.

The Giants and Tropang Texters still lead their respective series, 2-1. But Wednesday’s turnaround enabled the Elasto Painters and the Kings to regain their confidence going into the crucial Game 4.

If necessary, Game 5 will be on Sunday. The winner of the RoS-Purefoods series will advance to the semifinals against Ssan Miguel while the Talk N’ Text-Ginebra match up victor will be pitted against Alaska in the other best-of-seven series.

“I’ve been telling the boys not to look at the standing. We just have to compete hard every game,” Garcia said.

He admitted their tendency to collapse late in the game worries him.

In Sunday’s Game 2, RoS allowed a 20-point lead to dissipate in the fourth quarter and on Wednesday they again nearly blew an 11-point margin in the last eight minutes of play.

“We need more maturity. But we’re learning fast from our mistakes (of crumbling in the end game).

Purefoods coach Ryan Gregorio said injuries to Kerby Raymundo (thigh) and Rico Mierhoffer (ankle) took its toll in Game 3 because their absence forced him to play James Yap, Nino Canaleta and Mark Pingris extended minutes.

The two frontlines remain doubtful for Friday’s game but Gregorio said they are ready for the challenge.

“We’re not looking beyond Friday. So we have to play with a sense of urgency for 48 minutes.”

The Kings also have shown the tendency to fade in the closing minutes of the fourth quarter, something that coach Jong Uichico said must be addressed immediately.

“We’ve been having a hard time closing games. Obviously this is a concern that has to be remedied if we intend to force a Game 5,” he said. (DBC)

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