Its Purefoods-Sta. Lucia in the Finals

Nobody expected at the start of the season that Purefoods and Sta. Lucia would be the ones who will battle for the 2008 Philippine Cup or better known as All Filipino Cup. For Purefoods this is their 20th finals appearance in their 20th year as a franchise but compared to the other teams such as Magnolia and Talk and text who filled their roster with superstars the experts just didn't give Purefoods a chance to go to the finals.

Purefoods TJ Giants beat an overachieving Redbull barakos in a do or die game 7. After a lopsided defeat in game 6, the Giants started game 7 with their guns blazing. Purefoods adjustment after the game 6 loss was very visible with Pingris taking on Celino Cruz while James Yap taking on Mike Hrabak and Roger Yap guarding Cyrus Baguio, this defensive scheme clearly surprised the Barakos as the Giants raced to an early big lead. The Giants controlled the whole game and protected their lead by trouncing every Barakos rally attempt. James Yap led the Giants with 28 point while Marc Pingris added 18 point and 14 rebound.

This will be Sta. Lucia's first trip to the All Filipino Finals. A combination of veterans and youngsters and a great team chemistry, the Realtors crush the Alaska Aces and book the first finals appearance since 2001. Kelly Williams led the charge for the Realtors and was ably supported by rookie Ryan Reyes. Much like the Purefoods game the Realtors dominated the game from start to finish surviving an Alaska rally in last minutes of the game.

The Realtors have not yet beaten the Giants this season but it does not mean that it will be a lopsided searies, in contrary this match up has the makings of a great finals series.

PBA Semis Tied at 2-2

The Current PBA Philippine Cup semifinals is currently at deadlock with two wins apiece. Redbull defeated Purefoods last sunday to level the series and reduce the best of seven series to just best of three affair. With Purefoods' ace player James Yap injured Redbull took advantage and snatch the win in overtime. Yap had a good first quarter scoring ten points but had to be benched because of knee contusions. He is listed day to day. This another setback that Purefoods must hurdle in order to achieve their goal of reaching and winning the PBA Philippine Cup (considered to be the more prestigious tourment of the PBA). On the other series Alaska outpoints Sta. Lucia to also level their best of 7 series. Behind Willie Miller's game high 27 points Alaska dueled Sta. Lucia into a shootout which is the Aces gameplan. But the win didn't come without any scare from Sta. Lucia who cut a 26 point deficit into just 2 midway in the fourht quarter

Game 5 for both series will crucial for it will have a twice to beat advantage. For Purefoods to win the game they must find another scoring option if ever Yap will not be able to play. They have PJ Simon who showed he can score when needed to in the elimination round and there is Noy Castillo who is capable of a scoring burst.