PUREFOODS Tender Juicy Giants struck hard in the third period to pull off a 95-85 win over Rain or Shine to claim the third semifinal slot in the 35th Philippine Basketball Association-KFC Philippine Cup before a jampacked crowd at the Araneta Coliseum on Sunday.

In the second game, the Barangay Ginebra Kings beat Talk ‘N Text, 113-100, to claim the last semifinals slot and to arrange its own best-of-seven series with the Alaska Aces.

James Yap led the Giants with 28 points, including 13 in the third frame, while Kerby Raymundo and Roger Yap combined for 32 points to finish the best-of-five quarterfinal round, 3-2.

The Giants, who took a 2-0 lead early in the series, will now battle second seed San Miguel Beer in the best-of-seven semifinal round starting on Wednesday. They face each other in the semis for the first time since the Governors’ Cup in 1997.

“It’s a great relief because we finally hurdled Rain or Shine. They have young players so it’s hard to stop their running game. We are lucky to have this victory,” said Purefoods coach Ryan Gregoio.

Gregorio expressed elation over the way his players showed strong determination to win the rubber match, which came after losing Game 4 (100-103) and Game 3 (92-95). They won Game 1 (90-85) and Game 2 (95-94).

Yap displayed versatility by hauling down four rebounds, dishing off three assists and making a steal, while the 6’5” Raymundo finished with 16 points, three rebounds and four assists. Roger Yap ended with 16 points, seven rebounds, four assists and four steals.

Solomon Mercado topscored for the Elasto Painters with 23 points, while Gabe Norwood added 20 and 9 came from Jay-Arr Reyes.

After battling closely in the first two periods, 50-47, James Yap suddenly exploded with back-to-back triples that triggered a fiery breakaway by the Giants in the third quarter.

--Frank Calapre

The Manila Times