Alaska's Reynel Hugnatan drives against two Purefoods defenders in Game 3 of their title series in the KFC-PBA Philippine Cup Sunday night at the Araneta Coliseum. The Giants won, 79-78, to move within a win of sweeping the series. (Photo by ALI VICOY)

Games Wednesday (Araneta Coliseum)
4:45 p.m. – PWBL
7 p.m. – Alaska vs Purefoods

Call it courage or the will to win.

Purefoods showed it has that kind of trait as it rallied mightily to hack out a pulsating 79-78 win in Game 3 and move on the threshold of sweeping its title series with Alaska Milk in the KFC-PBA Philippine Cup Sunday night at the Araneta Coliseum.

The Giants trailed for most of the game but willed their way out of trouble with big baskets from Niño Cañaleta and Kerby Raymundo to beat the Aces in another compelling showdown and take a huge 3-0 lead in their best-of-seven title series.

A win on Wednesday will give Purefoods its eight title overall and fifth in an All-Filipino championship.

Alaska guard Willie Miller had the chance to win it for Alaska when he got the inbound pass from Joe Devance.

After recovering from a slip, Miller drove gallantly into the hoop but had limited space to maneuver – no thanks to the defense of Marc Pingris, Rafi Reavis, and James Yap.

With that, Miller bungled a potential game-winning shot as time expired. Worse, he was accidentally hit by Reavis who was trying to block him. The two fell on the floor with no foul called.

“Obviously our defense held up, that has been the story of our conference,” Purefoods coach Ryan Gregorio said. “The odds and the history are stacked against Alaska. We have to win Game 4, or we need four wins, and that’s the only time for us to celebrate.”

Against a team that swept its opponent (Barangay Ginebra) in the Final Four, the Giants are just as determined to close out the series in Game 4, and avenge the humiliation suffered by the Kings.

In the history of the PBA, no team has ever come back from 0-3 deficit to win a series.

Yap, a strong candidate for the Best Player of the Conference, scored 14 points, including a jumper that tied the score at 73-all with 4:18 left in the game, while guard PJ Simon came off the bench to add 12 points.

What hastened Alaska’s downfall was the disqualification of Sonny Thoss on fouls with still over two minutes left.

Yap’s wife, actress/host Kris Aquino, arrived with son Baby James midway in the second period. They were accompanied by Valenzuela City Councilor Shalani Soledad, the reported girlfriend of presidential candidate Sen. Noynoy Aquino.

Wingman Niño Canaleta had eight points, which all came in the fourth quarter highlighted by a booming three-pointer that leveled the score for the game’s fourth and last deadlock, 77-all, with 1:28 to play.

After a turnover by Devance, Purefoods forward Kerby Raymundo made an up and under move on the latter that gave the Giants a 79-7 lead with 57.1 seconds to play. Off a timeout, Miller lost control of the leather as it went outside.

Raymundo missed a three-point try, and Miller, fouled by the latter, split his free throws with 31.3 seconds left. Canaleta made a hurried triple attempt, which gave Alaska the possession and the opportunity to the turn the table on their side.

“When KG (Canaleta) took that shot, I heard nothing from the bench but to bail him out,” Gregorio said. “I respect Willie. I see him make unbelievable shots. But he makes a contested shot. That’s the kind of challenge I want from my players.”

Despite a 0-3 deficit, Alaska coach Tim Cone still believes his team can win, but he said they have to work harder in Game 4.

“We’re down 3-0, Game 3 could have gone either way. We’re supposed to be the fresh team. They supposed to be the tired team,” he said. “It’s not yet over.”

The Aces started strong as they opened a 15-4 lead, but the Giants were able to trim it to 15-21 after one quarter.

Split free throw and a jumper by Jondan Salvador pushed Purefoods within 18-21, but two foul shots each from Mark Borboran and Sonny Thoss derailed the Giants’ rally as the Aces took a 25-18 lead with nine minutes in the second.

Purefoods’ coaching staff protested a non-call when LA Tenorio apparently left his right foot on the landing spot of Roger Yap who attempted a three-pointer.

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, 79-78.