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'King' James carries Giants to 2-0 Finals lead
James Yap rallied Purefoods from a 14-point fourth quarter deficit before Kerby Raymundo nailed the game-winning free throw in the Giants’ thrilling 86-85 come-from-behind victory over the Alaska Aces Friday in their KFC-PBA Philippine Cup Finals. The former league most valuable player (MVP) came through with a new conference high of 32 points behind an 8-of-9 shooting from the foul line and 4-of-6 from the three-point range. Two of those booming treys came at the height of a big Purefoods onslaught as the Giants fought back from a 78-64 deficit in the final five minutes of a tense match that saw an Alaska fan fall unconscious just as Game 2 is nearing its climax at the rocking Araneta Coliseum.

Purefoods' James Yap, right, tries to get past the defense of Alaska's LA Tenorio during Game 1 of the PBA Philippine Cup Finals on Wednesday at the Big Dome. Jeff Venancio
Scores: Purefoods 86 – Yap J. 32, Reavis 17, Raymundo 14, Allado 5, Maierhofer 4, Canaleta 4, Artadi 4, Pingris 3, Yap R. 3, Simon 0, Adducul 0. Alaska 85 – Tenorio 19, De VAnce 12, Miller 12, Dela Cruz 9, Thoss 8, Ferriols 8, Cablay 8, Hugnatan 6, Borboran 3, Fonacier 0, Cariaso 0. Quarter scores: 28-18, 48-39, 57-62, 86-85.
"We can’t afford to relax. We must never let up since the series is far from over," said the popular Purefoods shooting guard after the game. Rafi Reavies, one of the unsung heroes in Game 1, came through big-time with 17 points while Raymundo added 14. His five-point cluster, including a clutch trey, helped the Giants overcome a six-point deficit inside the final two minutes to close to within, 84-83. The Aces were paced by L.A. Tenorio’s 19 points as the brilliant playmaker went 5-of-6 from three-point range. His soft jumper at the two-minute mark gave Alaska an 82-76 lead. De Vance finished with 12, including the Aces’ final three points. His split charities with 11 seconds to go tied the game for the last time at 85-all. GMANews.TV More Videos
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