Incredible buzzer-beater saves Giants

Chico Lanete scored a career-high 24 points, including the go-ahead basket at the buzzer, and Purefoods completed a gallant fightback from a 16-point deficit in the last eight minutes of play to stun Talk n Text, 88-87, in the KFC PBA Philippine Cup at the Astrodome last night.

Lanete recovered a loose ball and eluded two defenders in taking the winning shot from the left wing, making it three in a row for the Giants who finally hit the .500 mark with a 4-4 win-loss record.

“It’s just unbelievable. We’re playing with a decimated lineup and, for the second straight game, we’re saved by an unbelievable shot,” said Purefoods coach Ryan Gregorio.

“The absence of Peter Jun Simon and Roger Yap provides an opportunity for our other guys to shine. Chico grabbed it tonight, proving that he belongs in this league,” Gregorio said of his second-string guard whom they picked from the free agent pool last season.

“I was just out there to play and help my team to the best of my ability. In our final play, I knew that it’s for James (Yap) and Kerby (Raymundo). It just became a broken play and the ball went into my hands. With that opportunity, I didn’t hesitate to take the shot,” said Lanete, a former Lyceum ace guard.

Yap, the 2006 MVP winner, carried the fight for the Giants early on, scoring a game-high 30 points, including eight points in the team’s decisive 11-to-nothing run to close the contest. He went 2-of-2 from beyond the arc in that stretch.

“Lakasan lang ng loob yan,” said Yap, coming through with a second straight 30-point performance and his 13th in a pro career starting in 2004.

The Tropang Texters dominated the contest but went scoreless in the last 3:25 of play, thus, suffering a third straight loss and their fifth in eight games in all.

Alaska Milk blew away a 23-point bulge but survived Sta. Lucia Realty, 95-89, in a tight finish to regain a share of the lead with San Miguel Beer on their identical 6-2 win-loss card.

They’re still in the lead, at 87-86, with 30 seconds left to play but Jimmy Alapag committed a passing error to Renren Ritualo.

Gregorio immediately sued for time and drew a play for Raymundo who missed a jumper off Ali Peek.

Rico Villanueva grabbed the rebound, though, then kicked the ball out to Lanete who nearly fumbled but recovered the ball in time to make the winning shot.

“Actually, I was calling a timeout after Rico grabbed the rebound. Luckily, they didn’t notice me,” said Gregorio.

“It was a big rebound on Rico’s part. He was struggling all night. At endgame, I was yelling at him to help us win. He did,” Gregorio also said.

Villanueva made only four points but pulled down 12 rebounds.