source: Joaquin Henson | philstar.com
When Rudy Hatfield returns to action with Barangay Ginebra in the PBA Fiesta Conference, fans will see a changed man.
The word is he won’t be around when the conference opens March 21 and will check in sometime in April. He reportedly signed a one-year contract to resume his career with the Kings.
“After about a year of researching, speaking with God, receiving so many signs and just putting myself out there to believe, I was finally saved,” said Hatfield. “My old life was put to death and I was reborn. I now truly believe that Jesus Christ is our Savior.”
Hatfield, 32, took a leave of absence from Ginebra in 2007 to attend to family matters. Now that he’s put his life in order, Hatfield said basketball is back as his priority.
But Hatfield said spreading the Good News of salvation will be a continuing commitment.
“Currently, I attend Northridge Church in Plymouth, Michigan,” he said. “Together with Mega City Ministries in Metro Manila, we were able to reach out to thousands of people, spreading the love of Jesus to each of them during a brief visit to Manila last November. I intend to continue working with Mega City Ministries and senior pastor Greg Lyons. They have a wonderful ministry that opens doors to any and every person. Understandably, basketball is my job and ‘if a man will not work, he shall not eat.’ That’s from 2 Thessalonians 3:10. However, the decision to return is truthfully God-led and ministry work will be just as important, if not more, than basketball.”
Hatfield said his eyes were opened to God during his leave of absence.
“I’ve always been interested to find out what the purpose of life is,” he opened up. “I was, and sometimes still am, a skeptic. I loved to argue with Christ followers about their faith in Jesus. Eventually, I got to the point where I realized I wasn’t a very good person, yet I received so many great things. I realized I didn’t deserve anything and wondered why I was given certain things that so many others deserved.”
Hatfield said he never strayed from the path of discovering the truth.
“I stayed on the path of many questions, many arguments with people but rather than doing it just for pleasure, I was looking for the truth,” he went on. “With the help of my amazing wife, who went to a Christian school her whole life, and many others I eventually got to the point where I started believing that the Bible may be true. I now truly believe that if we believe in Christ’s death in our sins, His resurrection as ourselves being resurrected into a new life and that He is the way, truth and the life.”
* * *
Hatfield said he’s not proclaiming himself to be saintly.
“By all means, I still sin, I still make mistakes and I have a long, painful journey to go before I’m made into the perfect image of Jesus,” he said. “But at least, I know I can repent and be forgiven and I focus everyday on getting closer to God.”
Hatfield said his wife Bethany and daughters Bella, 5, and Lylah, 1, are his backbone.
“My wife is truly an angel sent from God,” he said. “My baby girl is a gift from God and Bella is an amazing little girl. I met my wife while she was dating a good friend of mine. When I saw her, I really knew she was something special. I met her on New Year’s Day of 2006 when I initially went home after my contract ended with Coca-Cola. This was just before I entered the fire academy. I never asked her out because she was dating my good friend. I remember one day, talking to him and asking him, ‘How’s Bethany?’ and he told me they were no longer together.
“About a month later, I went up to the bar where she worked at the time, sat down and had a few drinks and spent the night chatting with her. We ended up going on a date and that’s when I really fell for her. I ended up calling my friend whom she was dating before and asking him if he minded if I dated her. I was trying to be a good man by asking but honestly, if he had said no, I still would’ve gone out with her. Once my mind is set on something, it’s very rare that I’m going to be stopped. We were married on Aug. 8, 2007, in Turks and Caicos island off the coast of Jamaica. That’s the reason I couldn’t play for the national team at that time. We had scheduled that wedding a year in advance before I even came back to play for Ginebra.”
Hatfield said he had dreams of becoming a fireman and even a professional wrestler but in the end, he realized he was cut out for basketball and that was his love.
“I was never able to get a job as a fireman although it may be the fact that I never applied,” he said. “In Michigan, 90 percent of firemen also need to have their paramedic license which entails about another year or so of school plus doing emergency ride-alongs and a crazy amount of hours doing hospital internships, unpaid internships I might add. I really just wanted to put out fires and not deal with medical stuff. I don’t think I will go back into doing that once I’m finished with basketball. Maybe, I’ll continue doing ministry work both in the US and the Philippines for the rest of my life. I’m sure. I’ll just leave that up to God.”
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Monday, March 8, 2010
Air21 ships Yancy to Ginebra for Alvarez, Kramer
source: gmanews.tv
Air21, a team always busy on shipping one player to another, will have a reunion of Ateneo and La Salle players on its team for the coming Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Fiesta Conference.
The Express got half of the job done when they dealt recently-acquired 6’9 center Yancy de Ocampo and their second-round draft pick in next season’s Rookie Draftto the Ginebra Gin Kings in exchange for 2004-05 Rookie of the Year Rich Alvarez and bruising forward Doug Kramer.
Ginebra coach Jong Uichico, in a text message to GMANews.TV, confirmed the news.
“It’s for finalization, but I don’t know if it’s already been approved," said Uichico.
Air21 team manager and PBA chairman Lito Alvarez said it’s already agreed in principle and welcomed this new development for his team.
Alvarez said it was coach Yeng Guiao who convinced him to get Alvarez as he is more “familiar in utilizing the player’s potential."
“Coach Yeng said he wants Rich’s work ethic," said the Air21PBA board representative in a telephone interview. “Coach Yeng thinks Rich wasn’t given enough playing time with his former teams."
Alvarez played for Guiao when the fiery mentor was still coaching Barako Bull (formerly Red Bull Barakos).
Trades between the 10 participating teams are expected to intensify before the start of the import-laced Fiesta Conference on March 21.
Cabagnot-Cortez trade in the works
While Ateneans Alvarez, Gonzales and Kramer had found themselves altogether again, two former members of the La Salle Green Archers’ champion squad are anticipating the possible acquisition of their ex-teammate – Mike Cortez.
Cortez, who won championships with La Salle, will most likely join Ren-Ren Ritualo and Carlo Sharma with the Express.
A trade between Cortez and talented lefty point guard Alex Cabagnot is being worked out now by Air21 and San Miguel.
Cabagnot was traded by Coca-Cola to the Express along with Gonzales for Gary David and Chico Lanete. If plans push through, Cabagnot will be dealt to his fourth team in the last five years and might join a Beermen squad loaded with guards. – GMANews.TV
Air21, a team always busy on shipping one player to another, will have a reunion of Ateneo and La Salle players on its team for the coming Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Fiesta Conference.
The Express got half of the job done when they dealt recently-acquired 6’9 center Yancy de Ocampo and their second-round draft pick in next season’s Rookie Draftto the Ginebra Gin Kings in exchange for 2004-05 Rookie of the Year Rich Alvarez and bruising forward Doug Kramer.
Ginebra coach Jong Uichico, in a text message to GMANews.TV, confirmed the news.
“It’s for finalization, but I don’t know if it’s already been approved," said Uichico.
Air21 team manager and PBA chairman Lito Alvarez said it’s already agreed in principle and welcomed this new development for his team.
Alvarez said it was coach Yeng Guiao who convinced him to get Alvarez as he is more “familiar in utilizing the player’s potential."
“Coach Yeng said he wants Rich’s work ethic," said the Air21PBA board representative in a telephone interview. “Coach Yeng thinks Rich wasn’t given enough playing time with his former teams."
Alvarez played for Guiao when the fiery mentor was still coaching Barako Bull (formerly Red Bull Barakos).
Trades between the 10 participating teams are expected to intensify before the start of the import-laced Fiesta Conference on March 21.
Cabagnot-Cortez trade in the works
While Ateneans Alvarez, Gonzales and Kramer had found themselves altogether again, two former members of the La Salle Green Archers’ champion squad are anticipating the possible acquisition of their ex-teammate – Mike Cortez.
Cortez, who won championships with La Salle, will most likely join Ren-Ren Ritualo and Carlo Sharma with the Express.
A trade between Cortez and talented lefty point guard Alex Cabagnot is being worked out now by Air21 and San Miguel.
Cabagnot was traded by Coca-Cola to the Express along with Gonzales for Gary David and Chico Lanete. If plans push through, Cabagnot will be dealt to his fourth team in the last five years and might join a Beermen squad loaded with guards. – GMANews.TV
Sunday, March 7, 2010
SMB, Ginebra mull trades
source: Nelson Beltran | philstar.com
San Miguel Beer and Barangay Ginebra are working out possible trade deals with other ball clubs in search of a solution to problems stemming from injuries.
The Beermen hope to plug holes in their wing spots while the Kings are after players who could fill the void in their center and guard positions.
Both teams fell short in their bids to make the all-Filipino finals. Lordy Tugade and Danny Seigle are two key San Miguel players downed by injuries, while Eric Menk, Celino Cruz and Jayjay Helterbrand are among Ginebra mainstays with recurring injuries during the tourney.
A reliable source said San Miguel and Ginebra are likely to close their separate trade deals before the start of the import-laden Fiesta Conference on March 21.
SMC officials are keen on beefing up the San Miguel and Ginebra rosters, hoping for a follow-up to the strong showing of all their three ball clubs in the recent Philippine Cup.
The sister teams all made the semifinals, with the Purefoods Giants sweeping the Alaska Milk Aces in four games in the finale and the Beermen topping the Kings in their one-game playoff for third place.
All three teams have no intention of slowing it down in the second conference.
The Beermen seek back-to-back all-Filipino championships with import Gabe Freeman back in tow while the Giants go for a season sweep with Reggie Larry as reinforcement.
The Kings, runners-up behind the Beermen in the 2009 Fiesta Conference, field in Awvee Storey as their import.
Air21 is another team reportedly working out a trade.
The Express have earlier consummated a deal with the Talk n Text Tropang Texters, getting Renren Ritualo and Yancy de Ocampo for JR Quinahan, Mark Yee and Aaron Aban.
At Barako Bull, a tryout is ongoing with a number of Philippine Patriots joining the Energy Boosters in the camp.
The Fiesta Conference fires off March 21 with Barako Bull tangling with Sta. Lucia Realty and Barangay Ginebra going up against Talk n Text.
The second play date on March 24 pits Barako Bull versus Coca-Cola then San Miguel against Air21.
The start of the Fiesta Conference also marks the resumption of fan balloting for the 2010 All-Star Game set April 25 in Puerto Princesa, Palawan.
The PBA and the Puerto Princesa city government closed their agreement after PBA officials Rickie Santos and Willy Marcial visited the host city Thursday.
It will be a five-day extravaganza with the PBA stars holding several outreach programs, including beach-cleaning, road-painting and basketball clinic, leading to the All-Star Sunday.
uploaded by snowbadua
uploaded by snowbadua
San Miguel Beer and Barangay Ginebra are working out possible trade deals with other ball clubs in search of a solution to problems stemming from injuries.
The Beermen hope to plug holes in their wing spots while the Kings are after players who could fill the void in their center and guard positions.
Both teams fell short in their bids to make the all-Filipino finals. Lordy Tugade and Danny Seigle are two key San Miguel players downed by injuries, while Eric Menk, Celino Cruz and Jayjay Helterbrand are among Ginebra mainstays with recurring injuries during the tourney.
A reliable source said San Miguel and Ginebra are likely to close their separate trade deals before the start of the import-laden Fiesta Conference on March 21.
SMC officials are keen on beefing up the San Miguel and Ginebra rosters, hoping for a follow-up to the strong showing of all their three ball clubs in the recent Philippine Cup.
The sister teams all made the semifinals, with the Purefoods Giants sweeping the Alaska Milk Aces in four games in the finale and the Beermen topping the Kings in their one-game playoff for third place.
All three teams have no intention of slowing it down in the second conference.
The Beermen seek back-to-back all-Filipino championships with import Gabe Freeman back in tow while the Giants go for a season sweep with Reggie Larry as reinforcement.
The Kings, runners-up behind the Beermen in the 2009 Fiesta Conference, field in Awvee Storey as their import.
Air21 is another team reportedly working out a trade.
The Express have earlier consummated a deal with the Talk n Text Tropang Texters, getting Renren Ritualo and Yancy de Ocampo for JR Quinahan, Mark Yee and Aaron Aban.
At Barako Bull, a tryout is ongoing with a number of Philippine Patriots joining the Energy Boosters in the camp.
The Fiesta Conference fires off March 21 with Barako Bull tangling with Sta. Lucia Realty and Barangay Ginebra going up against Talk n Text.
The second play date on March 24 pits Barako Bull versus Coca-Cola then San Miguel against Air21.
The start of the Fiesta Conference also marks the resumption of fan balloting for the 2010 All-Star Game set April 25 in Puerto Princesa, Palawan.
The PBA and the Puerto Princesa city government closed their agreement after PBA officials Rickie Santos and Willy Marcial visited the host city Thursday.
It will be a five-day extravaganza with the PBA stars holding several outreach programs, including beach-cleaning, road-painting and basketball clinic, leading to the All-Star Sunday.
uploaded by snowbadua
uploaded by snowbadua
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Giants too good for Aces
source: Tito S. Talao | mb.com.ph
Tim Cone, the Alaska Aces coach, didn’t hang around long enough Wednesday night to “tip my hat” and “sing praises” to the Purefoods Giants after getting swept in the KFC-PBA Philippine Cup Finals.
He was gone from the Araneta Coliseum before Giants coach Ryan Gregorio could be hoisted by his victorious players, and was probably halfway to where he sought solace by the time Best Player of the Conference and Finals MVP James Yap was through shaking hands at the press room.
Getting shut out by a kid in front of more than 16,000 screaming fans was probably too much for the veteran Grand Slam coach to bear.
And there lies the dilemma of the Alaska Aces.
Defiant despite falling behind 0-3 in the championship series, Cone said after Game 3 Sunday that only when the series is over will he tip his hat and sing praises to Purefoods.
“But it’s not over yet,” he said.
It’s over now. And when the end finally came for the Aces, with Yap putting the finishing touches to a masterful performance and Purefoods’ relentless frontline crushing the air out of its counterpart, Cone found himself practically alone in the battle with the menacingly tall and agile Giants, especially in the title-clinching Game 4.
Willie Miller made a valiant effort to salvage Alaskan pride and stature, the Aces having come into the Final Four as a top seed and into the championship as conquerors of the Barangay Ginebra Kings in four straight games.
But two men couldn’t do it alone. And with Miller and Cone, and to some extent LA Tenorio, the only ones with the sustained courage to stand their ground against a pack of stampeding horses in Roger Yap, Marc Pingris, Rafi Reavis, KG Canaleta, Kerby Raymundo, and rookie Rico Maierhofer, the Aces inevitably got run over.
“It was really their size,” Cone told the Bulletin’s Waylon Galvez the day after.
“I think we did a good job on James, Roger Yap and Kerby Raymundo. But it was Pingris, Reavis, KG (Canaleta), and even Maierhofer… it was their size and quickness. They disrupted us both on offense and defense,” Cone said.
“They outplayed us in the series. We had our chances to win games. But they came in to the series at a high level especially defensively. They just gained momentum. But the most impressive thing is that they didn’t let off the pedal for a moment. They didn’t give us a chance.”
Gregorio, who vowed not to give Alaska an ounce of air to breath after taking a 3-0 lead, pointed to the Giants’ indomitable spirit, something the Aces radiated when they still had Johnny Abarrientos, Jojo Lastimosa, Bong Hawkins, Poch Juinio and a much younger Jeffrey Cariaso in the lineup, as a key factor in their triumph.
“Our will and determination to survive can't be described in words,” Gregorio said. “We're supposed to be tired, the inferior team. But again that's what prayers can do. Yes, we're tired on the court, we're tired in practice, but we prayed hard and those prayers were answered.”
Coming in through the backdoor, the Giants needed five games to dispose off tenacious Rain or Shine in the quarterfinals before blasting to smithereens No. 2 seed San Miguel Beer in the semifinals.
“This is really close to impossible, but we did it,” he said. “So that’s what makes this conference more memorable for us. It can be a preview of what life can be. You start slow, you start on the wrong foot, but you have to end the right way and that’s exactly what we did. We never gave up.”
Somewhere along the way, the Alaska Aces did.
Tim Cone, the Alaska Aces coach, didn’t hang around long enough Wednesday night to “tip my hat” and “sing praises” to the Purefoods Giants after getting swept in the KFC-PBA Philippine Cup Finals.
He was gone from the Araneta Coliseum before Giants coach Ryan Gregorio could be hoisted by his victorious players, and was probably halfway to where he sought solace by the time Best Player of the Conference and Finals MVP James Yap was through shaking hands at the press room.
Getting shut out by a kid in front of more than 16,000 screaming fans was probably too much for the veteran Grand Slam coach to bear.
And there lies the dilemma of the Alaska Aces.
Defiant despite falling behind 0-3 in the championship series, Cone said after Game 3 Sunday that only when the series is over will he tip his hat and sing praises to Purefoods.
“But it’s not over yet,” he said.
It’s over now. And when the end finally came for the Aces, with Yap putting the finishing touches to a masterful performance and Purefoods’ relentless frontline crushing the air out of its counterpart, Cone found himself practically alone in the battle with the menacingly tall and agile Giants, especially in the title-clinching Game 4.
Willie Miller made a valiant effort to salvage Alaskan pride and stature, the Aces having come into the Final Four as a top seed and into the championship as conquerors of the Barangay Ginebra Kings in four straight games.
But two men couldn’t do it alone. And with Miller and Cone, and to some extent LA Tenorio, the only ones with the sustained courage to stand their ground against a pack of stampeding horses in Roger Yap, Marc Pingris, Rafi Reavis, KG Canaleta, Kerby Raymundo, and rookie Rico Maierhofer, the Aces inevitably got run over.
“It was really their size,” Cone told the Bulletin’s Waylon Galvez the day after.
“I think we did a good job on James, Roger Yap and Kerby Raymundo. But it was Pingris, Reavis, KG (Canaleta), and even Maierhofer… it was their size and quickness. They disrupted us both on offense and defense,” Cone said.
“They outplayed us in the series. We had our chances to win games. But they came in to the series at a high level especially defensively. They just gained momentum. But the most impressive thing is that they didn’t let off the pedal for a moment. They didn’t give us a chance.”
Gregorio, who vowed not to give Alaska an ounce of air to breath after taking a 3-0 lead, pointed to the Giants’ indomitable spirit, something the Aces radiated when they still had Johnny Abarrientos, Jojo Lastimosa, Bong Hawkins, Poch Juinio and a much younger Jeffrey Cariaso in the lineup, as a key factor in their triumph.
“Our will and determination to survive can't be described in words,” Gregorio said. “We're supposed to be tired, the inferior team. But again that's what prayers can do. Yes, we're tired on the court, we're tired in practice, but we prayed hard and those prayers were answered.”
Coming in through the backdoor, the Giants needed five games to dispose off tenacious Rain or Shine in the quarterfinals before blasting to smithereens No. 2 seed San Miguel Beer in the semifinals.
“This is really close to impossible, but we did it,” he said. “So that’s what makes this conference more memorable for us. It can be a preview of what life can be. You start slow, you start on the wrong foot, but you have to end the right way and that’s exactly what we did. We never gave up.”
Somewhere along the way, the Alaska Aces did.
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Purefoods capture PBA Philippine Cup title
source: abs-cbnnews.com
Purefoods Tender Juicy completed only the 3rd sweep in finals history with a masterful 86-76 win in Game 4, clinching the KFC-PBA Philippine Cup crown in front of more than 17,000 fans Wednesday night at the Araneta Coliseum.
James Yap proved why he’s the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the conference as he carried the Giants anew to their 8th title overall and 5th All-Filipino crown.
Yap scored 18 points including a back-breaking trey that sealed the victory for Purefoods.
Purefoods joined Swift (1992 Third Conference vs. Seven-Up) and Northern Consolidated Cement (1985 Reinforced Conference vs. Manila Beer) as the only teams that registered a 4-0 sweep in a best-of-7 finals series.
“Masayang-masaya ako at nakuha namin ito. Para sa Purefoods fans ito,” said Yap, who was also named the Handy Flex Finals MVP by the PBA Press Corps.
Roger Yap added 16 points, 9 rebounds and 6 assists while Kerby Raymundo contributed 13.
Rookie Rico Maierhofer scored all of his 12 points in the second half, 9 in the third where he helped the Giants to get some cushion after a 40-all halftime score.
“Chapter closed, destination reached, mission accomplished. Now we can celebrate,” said Giants head coach Ryan Gregorio, who bagged his third PBA crown. He is the first Purefoods coach to win two All-Filipino titles.
“It’s not easy at all. The first 3 games could have gone either way. But we allotted extra motivation for tonight’s game,” Gregorio added.
The Giants came out firing in the game as they erected a 35-22 lead before Alaska unloaded an 18-5 bubble to tie the count at 40-all by the end of the first half.
The Aces even took a 44-40 lead early in the third before Maierhofer spearheaded a 17-4 exchange for a 57-48 lead.
Alaska kept on coming back and last threatened at 65-68, before James Yap and Roger Yap joined hands for a crucial 7-0 bomb for a 75-65 spread with 4:55 left in the game.
Willie Miller tried to ignite a late rally for Alaska as he buried a triple to slice the lead at 76-81, but James Yap answered with his own trey to seal the win, 84-76, 1:48 remaining.
Sonny Thoss had his best game in the series for Alaska with 19 points and 12 rebounds but his efforts were not enough to extend the series into another game.
Miller had 17 points but was 6-of-17 from the field. LA Tenorio contributed 11 markers.
James Yap is RP Cup’s best
Yap, a Negros Occidental native, won his first Best Player of the Conference (BPC) honor, beating Alaska’s Willie Miller and Kelly Williams of Sta. Lucia Realty.
The 28-year old Yap drew strength from the votes from media, Solar Sports and PBA Office to be the first player to win the BPC honor despite not being in the top five of the statistical points (SPs) category.
Yap, the 2005-06 MVP winner received 221 points from the statistical points, 591 from media, 128 from players’ votes, 150 from the television coveror and 150 from the PBA for a total of 1,380 points.
The two-time MVP Miller, who already won this title twice in his career, finished second with 925 points followed by Williams with 476.
“Siyempre masayang-masaya ako dahil blessing ito,” said Yap, the first Purefoods player to win the honor since Rey Evangelista, who also won the award in the 2002 Governor’s Cup.
“Nagpapasalamat ako sa teammates ko, sa management at sa coaching staff sa tulong nila para makuha ko itong award,” he added.
Yap also dedicated the honor to his mother-in-law and former President Cory Aquino, who passed away last year.
Beermen forward Arwind Santos finished fourth in the voting with 457 points followed by Devance (397) and Talk ‘N Text’s Mark Cardona (245.)
The scores:
Purefoods 86 - Yap, J. 18, Yap, R. 16, Raymundo 13, Maierhofer 12, Pingris 9, Simon 5, Reavis 5, Canaleta 3, Artadi 3, Salvador 2, Allado 0.
Alaska 76 - Thoss 19, Miller 17, Tenorio 11, Hugnatan 9, Cariaso 5, De Vance 4, Fonacier 4, Dela Cruz 4, Ferriols 2, Cablay 1, Borboran 0.
Quarters: 21-15, 40-40, 65-58, 86-76.
Purefoods Tender Juicy completed only the 3rd sweep in finals history with a masterful 86-76 win in Game 4, clinching the KFC-PBA Philippine Cup crown in front of more than 17,000 fans Wednesday night at the Araneta Coliseum.
James Yap proved why he’s the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the conference as he carried the Giants anew to their 8th title overall and 5th All-Filipino crown.
Yap scored 18 points including a back-breaking trey that sealed the victory for Purefoods.
Purefoods joined Swift (1992 Third Conference vs. Seven-Up) and Northern Consolidated Cement (1985 Reinforced Conference vs. Manila Beer) as the only teams that registered a 4-0 sweep in a best-of-7 finals series.
“Masayang-masaya ako at nakuha namin ito. Para sa Purefoods fans ito,” said Yap, who was also named the Handy Flex Finals MVP by the PBA Press Corps.
Roger Yap added 16 points, 9 rebounds and 6 assists while Kerby Raymundo contributed 13.
Rookie Rico Maierhofer scored all of his 12 points in the second half, 9 in the third where he helped the Giants to get some cushion after a 40-all halftime score.
“Chapter closed, destination reached, mission accomplished. Now we can celebrate,” said Giants head coach Ryan Gregorio, who bagged his third PBA crown. He is the first Purefoods coach to win two All-Filipino titles.
“It’s not easy at all. The first 3 games could have gone either way. But we allotted extra motivation for tonight’s game,” Gregorio added.
The Giants came out firing in the game as they erected a 35-22 lead before Alaska unloaded an 18-5 bubble to tie the count at 40-all by the end of the first half.
The Aces even took a 44-40 lead early in the third before Maierhofer spearheaded a 17-4 exchange for a 57-48 lead.
Alaska kept on coming back and last threatened at 65-68, before James Yap and Roger Yap joined hands for a crucial 7-0 bomb for a 75-65 spread with 4:55 left in the game.
Willie Miller tried to ignite a late rally for Alaska as he buried a triple to slice the lead at 76-81, but James Yap answered with his own trey to seal the win, 84-76, 1:48 remaining.
Sonny Thoss had his best game in the series for Alaska with 19 points and 12 rebounds but his efforts were not enough to extend the series into another game.
Miller had 17 points but was 6-of-17 from the field. LA Tenorio contributed 11 markers.
James Yap is RP Cup’s best
Yap, a Negros Occidental native, won his first Best Player of the Conference (BPC) honor, beating Alaska’s Willie Miller and Kelly Williams of Sta. Lucia Realty.
The 28-year old Yap drew strength from the votes from media, Solar Sports and PBA Office to be the first player to win the BPC honor despite not being in the top five of the statistical points (SPs) category.
Yap, the 2005-06 MVP winner received 221 points from the statistical points, 591 from media, 128 from players’ votes, 150 from the television coveror and 150 from the PBA for a total of 1,380 points.
The two-time MVP Miller, who already won this title twice in his career, finished second with 925 points followed by Williams with 476.
“Siyempre masayang-masaya ako dahil blessing ito,” said Yap, the first Purefoods player to win the honor since Rey Evangelista, who also won the award in the 2002 Governor’s Cup.
“Nagpapasalamat ako sa teammates ko, sa management at sa coaching staff sa tulong nila para makuha ko itong award,” he added.
Yap also dedicated the honor to his mother-in-law and former President Cory Aquino, who passed away last year.
Beermen forward Arwind Santos finished fourth in the voting with 457 points followed by Devance (397) and Talk ‘N Text’s Mark Cardona (245.)
The scores:
Purefoods 86 - Yap, J. 18, Yap, R. 16, Raymundo 13, Maierhofer 12, Pingris 9, Simon 5, Reavis 5, Canaleta 3, Artadi 3, Salvador 2, Allado 0.
Alaska 76 - Thoss 19, Miller 17, Tenorio 11, Hugnatan 9, Cariaso 5, De Vance 4, Fonacier 4, Dela Cruz 4, Ferriols 2, Cablay 1, Borboran 0.
Quarters: 21-15, 40-40, 65-58, 86-76.
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