North All-Star Starters
Marc Pingris
Kerby Raymundo
Gabe Norwood
Mark Caguiao
Willie Miller

South All-Star Starters
Jay Washington
Erik Menk
Kelly Williams
James Yap
Cyrus Baguio

Congratulations to James Yap, Kerby Raymundo and Marc Pingris

* photo above from pba.ph

James Yap made a name for himself by making big plays offensively during crucial end game situations and Yap made another big play but not in scoring but in defending and preserving the 1-point lead of the Llamados to tie their best-of-seven series with Talk N Text in the current PBA Philippine Cup semifinals. James Yap playing sick in this game scored only 13 points.

James Yap missed 1 of 2 free throws to give B-Meg a 3-point lead, 88-85 with 37.8 seconds remaining in the game, TNT courtesy of an alley-oop dunk from Kelly Williams gave Derby Ace just a 1-point lead with still 37.4 seconds remaining. Peter June Simon who scored 28 points and grabbed 8 rebounds missed a shot and was rebounded by Talk N Text but the TNT players forgot to call a timeout and a defensive play by James Yap led to a steal with time running out.

The Derby Ace Llamados actually had a 15-point lead, 52-37 in the third quarter before Talk N Text came back close in the last quarter and almost won the game led by Jimmy Alapag and Kelly Williams who scored 18 and 17 points respectively.

Special mention goes to Rico Maierhofer, who contributed 14 points and 6 rebounds and was 2 out of 2 from three-point range including a crucial three point shot in the 4th quarter to keep Talk N Text at bay.

In the other Semifinals Matchup, San Miguel defeated Ginebra on a last second shot by Alex Cabagnot, 86-84.

Best Player of the Game: Peter June Simon – 28 points and 8 rebounds

Game scores:

Derby Ace 88 – Simon 28, Maierhofer 14, Canaleta 13, Yap J. 13, Pingris 10, Gaco 4, Yap R. 4,
Salvador 2, Timberlake 0, Villanueva 0, Allado 0.

Talk N Text 87 – Alapag 18, Williams 17, Reyes 14, Castro 11, Peek 9, De Ocampo 7, Aban 5, Carey
4, Dillinger 2, Yee 0, Fonacier 0.

Congratulations to the Best player coming off the bench the past PBA 35th season, Niño “KG” Canaleta (B-Meg Derby Ace Llamados) – Mr. Quality Minutes award!

Congratulations also to Rico Maierhofer for being part of the All-Rookie Team and former Derby Ace Head Coach Ryan Gregorio Head Coach of the Year.

Other Awards:
* Kelly Williams (Sta Lucia/Talk N Text) – Comeback Player of the Year
* Manolito Quilingen – Referee of the Year
* Gabe Norwood (Rain or Shine) – Defensive Player of the Year
* Rico Maierhofer, Josh Urbiztondo, Ronnie Matias, Ogie Menor and Jervy Cruz – the All-Rookie Team.
* Wilfred Steven Uytengsu (Alaska) – Executive of the Year
* Ryan Gregorio (Derby Ace/Meralco) – Coach of the Year

With the recent acquisition of Kelly Williams and Ryan Reyes, Talk N Text now has a loaded line up which will become a big defensive test for the Derby Ace Llamados. Both teams are on a winning streak with Talk N Text winning 6 straight games and Derby Ace on mini win streak with 3 straight wins with new Import Clif Brown. In the current fiesta conference standings, Talk N Text is 2nd while Derby Ace is 3rd with a 7-2 and 6-3 respectively behind 1st place San Miguel. A win by Derby Ace will tie them with Talk N Text with 7 wins and 3 losses.

Key Matchups:
Clif Brown vs Shawn Daniels
James Yap vs Mark Cardona
Roger Yap vs Jimmy Alapag
Marc Pingris vs Kelly Williams
Rafi Reavis vs Ranidel de Ocampo

James Yap and Willie Miller will battle each other not just in Game 4 but for the title of “Best Player of the Conference” in the current KFC-PBA Philippine Cup, which will be announced in Game 4 tomorrow between Purefoods TJ Giants and Alaska Aces.

Other players in the top 6 in Statistical points are Kelly Williams (Sta Lucia Realtors), Arwind Santos (San Miguel Beermen), Mark Cardona (Tropang Texters) and another Aces player Joe Devance.