Veteran Dennis Espino scored a season-high 29 points and grabbed 5 rebounds and Kelly Williams registered his 22nd double-double of the conference as the Sta. Lucia Realtors claimed the first ever All-Filipino title in franchise history with a tough 100-88 win over the Purefoods TJ Giants in Game 7 of the Philippine Cup Finals in front of a conference record 18000-plus paying fans.
Back-to-back three pointers by James Yap early in the fourth period gave Purefoods their last taste of the lead 80-79.
Sta. Lucia coach Boyet Fernandez pulled out ace defensive stopper Denok Miranda in favor of Rookie Ryan Reyes after James Yap's second three pointer. That move seemed to be a stroke of genius as the 2006 MVP ws never a factor again and didn't score another point until the final two minutes of the game where the Realtors have already posted a double-digit lead.
"It’s beyond expectation and this All-Filipino championship means a lot to us," said Buddy Encarnado, the team’s Board representative since their entry in the league in 1993.
"We’re not here on sheer luck. We worked hard for this since day one. I take pride that we’re the league’s best defensive team and this carried us to victory," Encarnado added.
Espino's big night came from 9-of-12 shooting from the field and 11-of-14 from the line. Williams, the tourney's Best Player of the Conference played the entire 48 minutes.
Peter June Simon, who scored 13 points in the third quarter to keep pace with the Realtors, led Purefoods with 27 points. James Yap finished with 21. Kerby Raymundo, guarded mostly by Bitoy Omolon, struggled all night, scoring only 11 points.
Scores:
Sta. Lucia 100 – Espino 29, Williams 17, Reyes 12, Omolon 11, Aquino 11, Yeo 9, Gonzales 7, Miranda 4, Coronel 0, Daa 0.
Back-to-back three pointers by James Yap early in the fourth period gave Purefoods their last taste of the lead 80-79.
Sta. Lucia coach Boyet Fernandez pulled out ace defensive stopper Denok Miranda in favor of Rookie Ryan Reyes after James Yap's second three pointer. That move seemed to be a stroke of genius as the 2006 MVP ws never a factor again and didn't score another point until the final two minutes of the game where the Realtors have already posted a double-digit lead.
"It’s beyond expectation and this All-Filipino championship means a lot to us," said Buddy Encarnado, the team’s Board representative since their entry in the league in 1993.
"We’re not here on sheer luck. We worked hard for this since day one. I take pride that we’re the league’s best defensive team and this carried us to victory," Encarnado added.
Espino's big night came from 9-of-12 shooting from the field and 11-of-14 from the line. Williams, the tourney's Best Player of the Conference played the entire 48 minutes.
Peter June Simon, who scored 13 points in the third quarter to keep pace with the Realtors, led Purefoods with 27 points. James Yap finished with 21. Kerby Raymundo, guarded mostly by Bitoy Omolon, struggled all night, scoring only 11 points.
Scores:
Sta. Lucia 100 – Espino 29, Williams 17, Reyes 12, Omolon 11, Aquino 11, Yeo 9, Gonzales 7, Miranda 4, Coronel 0, Daa 0.
