In a virtual replay of Game 2 last Friday, the Purefoods TJ Giants rallied from a 12-point deficit to squeak past the Alaska Aces, 79-78, Sunday night at the jam-packed Araneta Coliseum to grab a commanding 3-0 lead in the KFC PBA Philippine Cup Finals. In the 35-year history of the league, no team has climbed back from such a huge deficit to win a best-of-seven series. The Giants will go for a sweep of the Aces in Game 4 on Wednesday. Once again, James Yap topscored for the Giants with 14 points. PJ Simon added 12 . But the Best Player of the Game honors went to Purefoods' reserve KG Canaleta who spearheaded the Giants' mighty run in the final quarter, draining two crucial three pointers in three attempts and scoring on a highlight reel slam dunk to finish with eight points. Prior to that, the Aces appeared to be on their way to scoring their first win in the series as they led by 13 points, 55-42, midway in the third quarter. As the final quarter started, Canaleta soared over Joe DeVance for a rip-roaring dunk to push Purefoods closer at 63-67. With 1:30 left, Canaleta then drilled a fadeaway three-point shot from deep right to tie the game at 77-all. Purefoods head coach Ryan Gregorio was all praise for his athletic backup forward who was the former slam dunk champion from the University of the East. “He bailed us out when the chips were down,” Gregorio said. The Aces could only blame themselves for their third straight heart-breaking loss as they self-destructed in the closing minutes of the game. After Canaleta's last three-pointer that tied the game at 77-all, the Aces turned the ball over three times, allowing Kerby Raymundo to score off a perfect spin move to put Purefoods on top for good, 79-77. With 25.4 left, Willie Miller had the chance to tie the game at the free throw line but he only split his charities as the Giants remained on top, 79-78. Alaska regained possession of the ball after a miss by Canaleta and had two chances to turn the game around. But Joe DeVance missed a fadeaway shot with 5.9 left. After a jumpball with 3.9 left, Miller had another chance to play hero but his heave at the basket over the heads of a phalanx of Purefoods' defenders missed its mark as the buzzer sounded, preserving the Giants' win. As Miller missed his shot, the coliseum erupted with jubilation as Purefoods' legions of fans whooped it up. The win was the Giants' six straight, including their three straight victories against the San Miguel Beermen in the semifinals. Despite his team's virtually insurmountable 3-0 lead, Gregorio said they are not about to celebrate prematurely. “Not until we get that win number 4 will there be a celebration within the team,” he said. The scores: Purefoods 79 - Yap J. 14, Simon 12, Canaleta 8, Pingris 8, Reavis 8, Raymundo 8, Maierhofer 7, Yap R. 5, Allado 5, Salvador 3, Artadi 1. Alaska 78 - Miller 20, De Vance 16, Thoss 12, Dela Cruz 10, Tenorio 8, Hugnatan 6, Ferriols 4, Borboran 2, Fonacier 0. Quarters: 15-21, 36-44, 61-67, 79
