Chandler returns in style, leads Purefoods past Coca-Cola

MANILA, Philippines – The patience in waiting for old, reliable import Marquin Chandler seems to be worth it for the Purefoods Giants. Chandler, unable to join the team right away due to a prior commitment in Korea, led the Giants to a morale-boosting 92-85 win over Coca-Cola Wednesday in the PBA Fiesta Conference at the Araneta Coliseum. Coming in as the Giants third reinforcement after Jahmar Thorpe and Brian Hamilton, the 6’5" former Best Import awardee did not disappoint Purefoods, pumping in 30 points on top of 12 rebounds, four blocks and three assists. Ably supporting Chandler was newly-crowned Three-Point King James Yap, who fired 22 markers, including a crucial trey that gave the Giants an 88-83 lead entering the final minute. The Giants, who overcame a nine-point deficit in the third canto, improved to 5-4 and jumped to solo fourth behind San Miguel (7-0), Sta. Lucia (6-3) and Talk N Text (5-3). James Penny, Chandler’s rival and tormentor during the 2007 Fiesta Conference finals, shot 17 points and shared top scoring roles with Nic Belasco for the Tigers, who were handled by assistant coach Bo Perasol in the absence of sore eyes-hit head coach Kenneth Duremdes. The Tigers dropped to 2-6, just a shade ahead of league doormat Barako Bull. –GMANews.TV