they got grizzled veterans Don Allado and Niño Canaleta. They also signed free agent Al Vergara of the Singapore Slingers for a one-conference contract. With resident import Marquin Chandler still playing in Korea, the Giants brought in Brian Hamilton, who led them to an impressive 2–0 start but was eventually replaced by Jhamar Thorpe after a mediocre showing. Thorpe also turned out to be sub-par and was thus replaced by the original choice Chandler, who led the team to three straight victories upon his return, only to see it lose the next three. Just before the All-Star break, the management continued to tinker with the team's roster. In another transaction involving the Gin Kings and the Whoppers, the Giants acquired veteran point guard Celino Cruz and gave up Aaron Aban. To make room for Cruz in its roster, the team released Vergara from his duties. During the All-Star break, Yap won the three-point shootout. Canaleta, who won the Slam Dunk competition three times when he was with Air21, failed to get back the title. Raymundo and Yap were key performers for the Powerade-Team Pilipinas in their three-game exhibition match with the PBA All-stars. Villanueva and Simon played for the North and South All-Stars respectively. With a 7–7 win–loss card, the Giants faced Talk 'N Text in a knockout wildcard duel. Even with Chandler fouling out in the fourth quarter, the Giants' local crew kept the game close, trailing by only three points, 97–100, with seven seconds left. Raymundo was fouled while shooting a desperation three-pointer that tied the game at 100-all, but he missed the potential game-winning free throw with 1.7 seconds left. In the extension period, Purefoods appeared to have sealed the victory with Roger Yap sinking two free throws to increase their lead to twelve, 114–102, with less than two minutes remaining. But Mark Cardona and Ren-Ren Ritualo made four consecutive triples for the Tropang Texters to force another overtime. The Giants, however resilient the Tropang Texters were, prevailed at the end behind the heroics of the Yap duo. The victory earned Purefoods the last ticket to the quarterfinals against Rain or Shine. With tired players, Purefoods lost to the Elasto Painters in Game 1 of the quarterfinals. The following game, the Giants came back strong, leading by as much as 24 points late in the third. Nonetheless, Rain or Shine did not readily gave up, shutting the