PUREFOODS CLIMBS OUT OF CELLAR WITH COME-FROM-BEHIND WIN
Coach Tim Cone was profuse in apologies to sportswriters after their game against GlobalPort Friday night.
He said he’s got used to losing that he forgot to attend the post-game interview as the winning coach right after the final buzzer.
Cone wasn’t impressed as they barely scraped past GlobalPort, 81-75, to finally nail a first win since their four-peat feat.
“We’re in a danger zone right now. We’re in a danger area to live. Fortunately, we were able to come back with our young team,” said Cone after their scrambling victory in the Halloween presentation of the PBA Philippine Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
“You can’t do that against seasoned teams. You fall behind by 16 and you’re gone,” Cone also said.
Mark Barroca scored 15 of his 25 points in the fourth quarter and Purefoods Star overcame an early 18-point deficit, denying GlobalPort a follow-up on its win over Barako Bull the last time out.
Marc Pingris had his clutch plays in his PBA comeback from his Gilas Pilipinas stint, helping Purefoods finally make the win column after three starts in the new PBA season.
The Hotshots caught up with the Batang Pier, the Talk n Text Warriors and the Kia Sorento at 1-2.
Purefoods made a long, long chase before finally pulling ahead at 59-58 on two free throws by Yousef Taha with 7:04 left.
The Batang Pier reestablished control at 70-63 on 12 straight points by Alex Cabagnot but the Hotshots, banking on hustle and experience, stole the game on a strong finish.
Allein Maliksi scored on a drive to shatter the 70-all count then Pingris came through with a three-point play off Yancy de Ocampo as Purefoods surged ahead to stay.
Barroca drained four important charities in the last 21 seconds to seal their win coming after losses to Alaska and San Miguel Beer.
Barroca easily stood out in pacing all scorers and adding six rebounds and two assists in 34 minutes of action.
Maliksi contributed 20 points while PJ Simon and Joe Devance chipped in 22 points together.
GlobalPort prized rookie Stanley Pringle sizzled with 18 points in the first three quarters but was held to two in the payoff period.
A big turning point for Purefoods was fighting to within two, 51-53, in the third quarter after trailing by 18 at 24-42. (SB)
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