Talk ’N Text’s Mark Cardona finds himself trapped by Roger Yap and Kerby Raymundo of Purefoods during PBA action last night at the Araneta Coliseum. (Photo by ALI VICOY)

Games Wednesday (Araneta Coliseum)
5 p.m. — Talk ‘N Text vs Coca-Cola
7:30 p.m. — San Miguel vs Purefoods

Purefoods rebounded from an embarrassing loss to Coca-Cola two weeks ago by edging defending champion Talk ‘N Text, 108-102, Sunday night in the KFC-PBA Philippine Cup at the Araneta Coliseum.

Rookie Rico Maierhofer, the second overall pick in the previous PBA Rookie Draft, scored 20 points, grabbed 10 boards and had four shot blocks – all career highs – to power the Giants’ balanced attack.

KG Canaleta came off the bench to contribute 16 points, while James Yap, limited to five points in the first three periods, scattered eight in the final frame to finish with 13.

Yap’s three-pointer at the 8:47 mark of the fourth was later ruled only as two points after TNT contested the shot. That shot was part of a 12-3 run, capped by Canaleta’s tomahawk dunk as Purefoods took a 94-85 lead with 6:45 left.

The win improved the Giants’ record to 3-2, while the Texters dropped to 2-2.

More importantly for Purefoods coach Ryan Gregorio, the victory avenged a painful 79-93 setback to the Coca-Cola Tigers after squandering a big lead in the third quarter.

“We are pretty much trying to manage our excitement level,” Gregorio said. “We’re able to control our excitement level. I told them we’ll do a little celebration after the game. Going quickly back to our last game, we’re so arrogant it was a lesson in humility.”

“When we looked at the tape, we looked like a bunch of high school players celebrating every made shoot. It’s our job to win games, not just make baskets.”

“We fought from the opening tip, to the final buzzer. It’s nice to win after heartbreaking loss. There was an eerie silence just before the game. It’s going to payoff... we’ll be rewarded in the end. And what a big reward for us," Gregorio added.

Purefoods was aggressive particularly in the rebounding department, grabbing 55, 21 of which on the offensive end while Talk ‘N Text only had 31.

Point guard Roger Yap had 11 boards to go with his 11 points, while Jondan Salvador collared 10 with nine points.

The Giants’ toughness inside the shaded lane rewarded them with 26 second chance points compared to TNT’s nine.

First Game
Purefoods 108 — Maierhofer 20, Canaleta 16, Yap J. 13, Raymundo 13, Pingris 12, Yap R. 11, Salvador 9, Adducul 9, Timberlake 3, Artadi 2.
Talk ‘N Text 102 — Carey 20, Cardona 19, Alapag 18, Belasco 17, De Ocampo Y. 9, Ritualo 7, Dillinger 6, Castro 6, Isip 0, De Ocampo R. 0, Peek 0.
Quarters: 30-25, 53-55, 80-76, 108-102.

Second Game
Ginebra 86 — Baguio 17, Intal 11, Cruz 10, Tubid 9, Salvacion 9, Menk 8, White 7, Mamaril 7, Wilson 4, Alvarez 2, Villanueva 2, Kramer 0.
Rain or Shine 77 — Cruz 14, Reyes 14, Chan 8, Hrabak 8, Arellano 7, Norwood 7, Telan 6, Mercado 4, Tang 4, Arana 4, Laure 1, Ibanes 0.
Quarters: 26-17, 44-35, 66-53, 86-77.