Burger King Whoppers stayed in contention for the last automatic semifinal seat after beating Purefoods Tender Juicy Giants, 96-86, Sunday night in the 2008-09 Motolite-PBA Fiesta Conference at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City.

Arwind Santos keyed a crucial run late in the final quarter that halted the Giants’ comeback to finish the Whoppers’ classification phase with an 8-6 win-loss mark.

But Burger King has to wait to determine if it will figure for at least a playoff for the No. 2 spot and the chance to play in the best-of-seven semifinal series.

“The team did well overall but all we can do is wait,” said Whoppers head coach Yeng Guiao, who is only in his first conference with the franchise.

“I hope we can play for the playoff but there are things we cannot control and we’ll just have to live with that,” he added.

Santos led the Whoppers with 21 points while Aaron Aban, a former Giant traded to Burger King for Celino Cruz, chipped in 12 off the bench.

Import Shawn Daniels also had a good account in the victory as he finished with 10 points and a game-high 21 rebounds for the Whoppers, his 10th double-double and 50th in the league.

Missing Yap

Marquin Chandler paced Purefoods with 26 points and 11 rebounds but coach Ryan Gregorio missed the services of one-time MVP James Yap who sat out the game due to fever.

“Suwerte rin kami dahil hindi naglaro si James for them,” said Guiao.

Yap was in uniform but coach Ryan Gregorio opted not to field him in.

And the gamble almost paid off for the Giants as they stayed within striking distance, thanks to Chandler, Peter June Simon and Roger Yap.

Chandler, Yap and Simon were responsible in keeping Purefoods within the game after Burger King built a 60-48 lead midway in the third.

But the Giants sliced the lead to 62-66 and 73-76 on Chandler’s follow-up on Roger Yap’s missed free throw with 8:55 left in the game.

New addition Mark Yee, a pick up by the team early in the free agency, hit a triple and Aban sank two free throws to put the lead back to 81-73.

Simon’s lopping three-pointer  started a quick 6-3 exchange to threaten at 79-84 with 4:59 left before the Whoppers made one final push to seal the win.

Santos had seven in the crucial 10-3 run which he capped with a triple and a reverse lay-up against three defenders to put the game out of reach, 94-82, with 1:36 remaining and relegated Purefoods, which had a 7-7 slate, to the knockout wildcard pairings.

SMB beats Sta. Lucia

In the second game, San Miguel Beer spoiled Sta. Lucia Realty’s own bid of a possible playoff for the No. spot with a 92-90 cliffhanger.

Already assured of the top spot and the automatic semifinals slot, the Beermen still played with the same passion and intensity despite playing with a new import and without two big men for their 11th win in 13 games.

Christopher Williams, who arrived Saturday night and subbed for the injured Gabe Freeman, escaped the defense of Realtors import Anthony Johnson to cap hi his 19-game performance.

Johnson had the chance to send the game in overtime but his drive was way off the mark and Sta. Lucia’s chance for the playoff for the second semis spot disappeared.

Johnson led the Realtors with 29 points and 14 rebounds while Joseph Yeo added 22, mostly on acrobatic lay-ups.