James Yap had his best game in this 7 game semifinal series scoring 24 points and 4 rebounds in leading Purefoods to a win vs San Miguel to tie the series 2-2. Roger Yap almost had a triple double with 15 points, 9 rebounds and 10 assists, while Marc Pingris and Rafi Reavis had 25 rebounds combined.

Purefoods led by as much as 22 points but San Miguel came back in the 2nd half to trim the lead to 3, 74-71, but James Yap waxed hot and made his free throws in the 4th quarter (13 out of 16 overall) to stop the run of San Miguel. With the series now tied at 2-2, it is now only a best of 3 series with the winner of the next game having a step ahead for the PBA finals.

Game Scores:

Purefoods 97 – Yap J 24, Pingris 15, Yap R 15, Raymundo 13, Reavis 12, Maierhofer 8, Simon 5, Artadi 4, Adducul 1, Allado 0.

San Miguel 84 – Ildefonso 17, Washington 14, Villanueva 13, Santos 11, Hontiveros 10, Custodio 6, Miranda 6, Pena 4, Pennissi 3, Holper 0, Cortez 0, Racela 0.

Purefoods Tender Juicy Giants gained an outright entry in the Quarterfinals by beating the Sta. Lucia Realtors, 88-78. This is the 4th straight win for Purefoods ending the Elimination phase with a 12-6 record. James Yap led Purefoods again with 19 points but it was the steady play of Nino Canaleta with 17 points and defense and rebounding of Marc Pingris with 11 points and 15 rebounds which made the difference in stoping the Realtors.

With the win, Purefoods is now waiting for the winner of the Wild Card Phase, which will be played by Sta Lucia, Rain or Shine, Burger King and Coke.

Game Scores:

Purefoods 88 – Yap J. 19, Canaleta 17, Yap R. 12, Pingris 11, Raymundo 11, Artadi 9, Allado 7, Reavis 2, Timberlake 0, Maierhofer 0.

Sta. Lucia 78 – Yeo 17, Aquino 14, Urbiztondo 13, Williams 11, Omolon 9, Daa 6, Espinas 3, Waters 2, Mendoza 2, Misolas 1, Larong 0, Reyes 0.

Quarterscores: 15-19, 41-35, 70-59, 88-78