Purefoods Tender Juicy Giants takes Game 1 of their Best of 5 quarterfinals series versus Rain or Shine, 90-85. It was a close game up to the finish, with Purefoods making crucial stops during the last 2 minutes to take a 1-0 lead. James Yap led Purefoods with 31 points, making 12 out of 21 attempts and 3 out of 5 from three point line, but it was the defense of Roger Yap which sealed the game with a crucial steal from Sol Mercado which nearly became ugly due to Mercado clinging on to Yaps Jersey on the said play.

Team Captain Kerby Raymundo contributed 12 points but had 2 crucial misses down the stretch and Rookie of the Year candidate Rico Maierhofer had 9 points. Ryan Arana led Rain or Shine with 19 points and their best player for the last few games Sol Mercado was limited to only 17 points.

Game scores:

Purefoods 90 – Yap J. 31, Yap R. 17, Raymundo 12, Maierhofer 9, Pingris 6, Reavis 5, Artadi 4, Canaleta 2, Adducul 2, Allado 2, Timberlake 0.

Rain or Shine 85 – Arana 19, Mercado 17, Laure 16, Norwood 12, Telan 9, Reyes 4, Chan 3, Hrabak 3, Ibanes 2, Cruz 0, Alfad 0, Arellano 0.

Quarterscores: 23-22, 51-48, 73-73, 90-85.