MANILA, Philippines – Purefoods, a team peaking up at the right time and now on a big roll, hopes to keep going tonight, looking to make it three in a row versus Alaska Milk in their KFC PBA Philippine Cup title collision at the Araneta Coliseum.

The Giants are out to sustain their searing drive while the Aces are determined to check a two-game losing skein in the series which is likely to get more emotional following the controversial ending of Game Two Friday night.

Meanwhile, Alaska fan Steve Racelis, who suffered a stroke watching Friday’s pulsating game, underwent an operation at Lourdes Hospital yesterday morning to remove blood clots in his head. He was in the ICU at press time.

Alaska had looked on the way to winning Game Three when it melted down and eventually lost, 85-86, on a free throw by Kerby Raymundo with 1.7 ticks left.

The Aces vehemently questioned the foul called on Joe De Vance sending Raymundo to the stripe for that deciding foul shot.

“Despite the controversial calls, Alaska will always play with its heart out. The problem is will the refs let us play,” said Alaska team manager Joaqui Trillo.

“So far, Purefoods has had the breaks. We hope the refs give us some breaks too. Purefoods is a great squad and is peaking at the right time, but we will be in there to battle and win the war – breaks or no breaks,” Trillo added.

The Alaska team manager cited the 35 free throws awarded Purefoods as against the Aces’ 18 in Game Two.

While expecting the Aces to wage a big fight, Purefoods coach Ryan Gregorio said there’s no way they would lower down their guards.

“We understand the implications of a Game Three if you are down 0-2. They will definitely play with great instinct to survive. We must match them step by step and stop by stop, keep the game close and finish strong,” said Gregorio.

“Nothing can take away the drive and determination of our team to win,” Gregorio added.

No team in league history has ever come back from a 0-3 deficit in a best-of-seven series. That’s the tough adversity Alaska would face if it loses again tonight.

Raymundo, drawing a crucial foul from De Vance with 1.7 seconds to go, knocked in the deciding free throw as Purefoods salvaged Game Two after squandering early double-digit spreads.

The Giants blew away a 48-39 halftime lead but recovered in the nick of time, making it five in a row in their searing run in the playoffs.

“We clawed back slowly and never stopped playing till the end. When the opportunity to win the game in regulation came, we simply did not let the chance to slip away,” said Gregorio.

The Aces, however, were convinced they were denied of a chance to win with referee Raymundo Maurillo sending Raymundo at the stripe in the dying seconds.

Purefoods went up by one as Raymundo made the first free throw and eventually won the game with time expiring with the two teams fighting for the loose ball after Raymundo missed the second shot.

Before that, Alaska had compounded its woes committing 23 turnovers and with Sonny Thoss getting into early foul trouble.

Still, the Aces got into the game on a second-half rally presided over by guards Willie Miller, LA Tenorio and Brandon Cablay.

But the Giants won’t be denied.