PBA UPDATE!! DECEMBER 25 CHRISTMAS WARS!

DEFENDING champion Barangay Ginebra defeated league leader Purefoods with a nail-biting 100-98 win in the 2007-08 PBA Smart Philippine Cup Christmas offering before an overflow crowd at the Araneta Coliseum.

Sunday Salvacion buried a three-pointer with 57.4 seconds to go that gave the Kings the lead, 95-93, while Rafi Reavis provided the defensive stops down the stretch to snatch the victory.

The Kings improved their win-loss record to 7-8, while derailing the Giants’ bid for earning at least a playoff berth for one of the two outright semifinal seats. It also avenged a humiliating 103-76 first round setback.

“It’s a good Christmas gift,” Ginebra coach Jong Uichico said, whose team improved to 3-1 on Christmas Day games.

“I hope we can carry it over to next year’s games. Let’s see what happens. We’re close to getting to the wild card. I don’t know if we can get to the quarters, but that’s what we’re hoping for,” he added.

Salvacion had 21 points for Ginebra. Eric Menk also collected 21 while adding 11 rebounds. Reavis also had a double-double with 10 points and 14 boards.

Ginebra made 5-of-6 free throws in the final 19.1 seconds left. Reavis’ two foul shots gave the Kings a 98-93 lead with 14.6 seconds to go, but Purefoods rookie Rob Sanz buried a triple to make it 96-98 with 7.5 seconds to play.

Prior to his free throws, Reavis made a big steal when he tapped the leather from Kerby Raymundo. He also had an offensive rebound of a missed triple by PJ Simon.

Menk sealed it with two more foul shots with 5.9 seconds, 100-96.

The Giants led by as may as 19 points, 30-11, late in the first period following back-to-back triples by Roger Yap and Simon.

But the Kings were able to cut it to 42-38 before settling for a 48-41 count at the half.

Things got a little tense with 4:11 left in the second period with Purefoods ahead, 33-41, when Tubid and rookie Ardy Larong got tangled under the Ginebra basket.

Helterbrand and Larong engaged in a verbal altercation and both were given technical fouls. Also handed a technical each were coaches Ryan Gregorio of Purefoods and Jong Uichico of Ginebra.

The Giants shot 41.5 percent (17-of-41) from the field while the Kings made 36.1 percent (13-of-36) of their shots. Purefoods also outrebounded Ginebra in the first half, 31 to 21. (WG)

The scores:

Ginebra 100 – Salvacion 21, Menk 21, Tubid 18, Helterbrand 13, Reavis 10, Macapagal 6, Artadi 6, Mamaril 3, Aquino 2.

Purefoods 98 – Yap J. 20, Raymundo 20, Simon 18, Pingris 12, Yap R. 10, Sanz 7, Adducul 5, Larong 4, Yee 2, Salvador 0, Evangelista 0.

Quarters: 13-30; 41-48; 67-72; 100-98.


TEAM STANDINGS As of December 25
===============

Team	Win	Loss	Pct
Purefoods	11	4	0.733
Sta. Lucia	9	6	0.600
Red Bull	9	6	0.600
Alaska	9	7	0.563
Talk N Text	8	7	0.533
Magnolia	8	7	0.533
Brgy. Ginebra	7	9	0.438
Coca-Cola	6	9	0.400
Air21	6	9	0.400
Welcoat	3	12	0.200