# 2007–08 PBA Philippine Cup finals

The 2007–08 Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Philippine Cup finals is the best-of-7 championship series of the 2007–08 PBA Philippine Cup, and the conclusion of the conference's playoffs. The series is a best of seven affair and is the 94th championship disputed in the league. The teams competing are the second-seed Sta. Lucia Realtors and the first-seed Purefoods Tender Juicy Giants. The Realtors are in their first Philippine Cup finals stint.

## Qualification

| Purefoods | Purefoods | Sta. Lucia | Sta. Lucia |
| Finished 12–6 (0.667) | Elimination round | Elimination round | Finished 12–6 (0.667) – 2nd |
| 2–0 against Sta. Lucia – 1st | Tiebreaker | Tiebreaker | | Finished 12–6 (0.667) – 2nd |
| Bye | Wildcard phase | Wildcard phase | Bye |
| Bye ||
| Def. Red Bull Barako – 4–3 | Semifinals | Semifinals | Def. Alaska Aces – 4–3 |

## Series scoring summary

| Team | Game 1 | Game 2 | Game 3 | Game 4 | Game 5 | Game 6 | Game 7 | Wins |
| Sta. Lucia | 109 | 112 | 107 | 98 | 88 | 81 | 100 | 4 |
| Purefoods | 97 | 101 | 118 | 106 | 76 | 89 | 88 | 3 |
| Venue | Araneta | Araneta | Araneta | Araneta | Araneta | Araneta | Araneta | |

## Games summary
### Game 1

* ABC
* February 15 7:20 p.m.
* boxscore
Sta. Lucia Realtors 109, Purefoods Tender Juicy Giants 97 :
| Scoring by quarter: 19–26, 27–29, 33–19, 30–23 |||
| Pts: Williams 24 Rebs: Williams 12 Asts: Reyes 5 | Pts: J. Yap 22 Rebs: Pingris 11 Asts: R. Yap 4 |
| Sta. Lucia leads series, 1–0 |||
* Araneta Coliseum, Quezon City Referees: Calungcaguin, Herrera, Maurillo
Purefoods and SLR engaged in a battle of attrition in the first three quarters but the Realtors pulled away late in the third quarter. Thanks to defense that led into transition offense, Kelly Williams collected 14 of his game-high 24 points to outscore the Giants 30–23 in the fourth quarter to claim Game 1.

### Game 2

* ABC
* February 17 6:30 p.m.
* boxscore
Sta. Lucia Realtors 112, Purefoods Tender Juicy Giants 101 :
| Scoring by quarter: 28–26, 25–27, 28–28, 31–20 |||
| Pts: Williams 23 Rebs: Williams 11 Asts: Miranda 6 | Pts: J. Yap 28 Rebs: Pingris 11 Asts: Raymundo 8 |
| Sta. Lucia leads series, 2–0 |||
* Araneta Coliseum, Quezon City Referees: Cruz, Aldaba, Canizares
Just like in Game 1, Purefoods and SLR fought a close game until the fourth quarter when Sta. Lucia's younger players led a 12–2 run to close out the game; Joseph Yeo scored 16 while Miranda added 14 plus 6 assists.

### Game 3

* ABC
* February 20 7:00 p.m.
* boxscore
Sta. Lucia Realtors 107, Purefoods Tender Juicy Giants 118 :
| Scoring by quarter: 26–28, 30–31, 24–27, 27–32 |||
| Pts: Yeo 22 Rebs: Williams 14 Asts: Yeo 3 | Pts: J. Yap 27 Rebs: Adducul 10 Asts: Raymundo 6 |
| Sta. Lucia leads series, 2–1 |||
* Araneta Coliseum, Quezon City Referees: Calungcaguin, Herrera, G. Ferrer
Purefoods found their finishing kick in the fourth quarter to prevent a sweep of the championship series to clinch their first win. With Peter June Simon being the third scoring option, Simon led the Giants through the third quarter with his outside sniping. James Yap and Kerby Raymundo finished off Simon's work in the fourth quarter. Williams got cold in the payoff quarter that prevented SLR's comeback.

### Game 4

* ABC
* February 22 7:00 p.m.
* boxscore
Sta. Lucia Realtors 98, Purefoods Tender Juicy Giants 106 :
| Scoring by quarter: 28–27, 23–34, 37–22, 10–23 |||
| Pts: Omolon 19 Rebs: Williams 12 Asts: Miranda 9 | Pts: J. Yap 32 Rebs: Adducul 13 Asts: Raymundo 5 |
| Series tied, 2–2 |||
* Araneta Coliseum, Quezon City Referees: Aldaba, Ferrer, Maurillo
Prior to the game, Kelly Williams was awarded with the Best Player of the Conference Award, beating out Kerby Raymundo of Purefoods, Willie Miller of Alaska, Asi Taulava of Coca-Cola and Arwind Santos of Air21. Williams is the first Realtor to win the award
However, the award has a jinx in which the awardee will lose the game in which he was awarded. Sta. Lucia tried to prevent that as they led by a point after the first quarter in which Raymundo and Pingris were assessed with two technical fouls each due to excessive complaining. Purefoods led by 10 thanks to a buzzer-beater by Roger Yap when the shot clock expired prior to half-time. Sta. Lucia closed the gap in the third quarter thanks to Nelbert Omolon's and Dennis Miranda's three-point shooting.
With the two teams exchanging turnovers at the fourth quarter, the Giants seized the initiative when James Yap scored 4 points in the last 2:03 to break the last deadlock at 95-all; Yap scored a conference-high 32 points. Purefoods managed to hold on to tie the series 2–2.

### Game 5

* ABC
* February 24 6:30 p.m.
* boxscore
Sta. Lucia Realtors 88, Purefoods Tender Juicy Giants 76 :
| Scoring by quarter: 15–19, 22–20, 25–11, 26–26 |||
| Pts: Williams 20 Rebs: Williams 16 Asts: Aquino, Miranda 4 | Pts: Raymundo 20 Rebs: Pingris 9 Asts: Raymundo 7 |
| Sta. Lucia leads series, 3–2 |||
* Araneta Coliseum, Quezon City Referees: Aldaba, Montiel, Quilinguen
With both Yeo and Yap suspended, the two teams had less options for offense which led to the lowest scoring first quarter of the series. Purefoods opened the game on a better note, however, when they led by as much as 11 points in the first half.
The Realtors crept back into the game thanks to points off Purefoods' turnovers. Simon got cold and Raymundo had a tough time against SLR's zone defense. With Sta. Lucia erecting a double-digit lead, Purefoods managed to cut to seven but Chico Lanete's turnover in a fastbreak attempt ended the Giants' hopes of a comeback.
SLR had good games from veterans Dennis Espino and Paolo Mendoza who stepped up in Yeo's absence.

### Game 6

* ABC
* February 27 7:00 p.m.
* boxscore
Sta. Lucia Realtors 81, Purefoods Tender Juicy Giants 89 :
| Scoring by quarter: 15–22, 15–18, 29–17, 22–32 |||
| Pts: Espino 22 Rebs: Williams 17 Asts: Miranda 5 | Pts: J. Yap 30 Rebs: Pingris 21 Asts: Raymundo 11 |
| Series tied, 3–3 |||
* Araneta Coliseum, Quezon City Referees: Cruz, Montiel, Aldaba
Both Yeo and Yap returned from the suspensions in the pivotal Game 6; the TJ Giants are on a do-or-die situation while the Realtors can clinch the title with a win.
The teams took the opening quarter strong but Purefoods pulled away after a tight first few minutes. SLR caught up with them at the second quarter but thanks to Purefoods' rebounding, they inflated their lead by up to ten points at half-time.
The Realtors stepped their offense on the third quarter, even leading at some points. But James Yap scored 20 of his 30 teams in the payoff period to lead Purefoods into a Game 7. Williams had a lackluster offensive game although he grabbed 17 rebounds; but it was Marc Pingris who grabbed the most boards, with a series high 21 rebounds.

### Game 7

* ABC
* March 2 6:30 p.m.
* boxscore
Sta. Lucia Realtors 100, Purefoods Tender Juicy Giants 88 :
| Scoring by quarter: 18–21, 26–24, 27–25, 29–18 |||
| Pts: Espino 29 Rebs: Williams 15 Asts: Yeo 5 | Pts: Simon 27 Rebs: Pingris 13 Asts: R. Yap 4 |
| Sta. Lucia wins series, 4–3 |||
* Araneta Coliseum, Quezon City Attendance: 18,167 Referees: Cruz, Calungcaguin, Herrera
With the Araneta Coliseum unavailable for February 29 due to a Ne-Yo concert, the final game was conducted on March 2. YouTube singing sensation Charice Pempengco sang the national anthem prior the game.
Sta. Lucia started with a 6–1 blast but Purefoods caught up with them and took the lead at the end of the first quarter. Sta. Lucia and the TJ Giants kept it close as neither team led by more than double figures by half-time. When the third quarter started, Sta. Lucia ignited a run that saw their lead reach 10 points; Simon then led the comeback for Purefoods as the Giants caught up once again to arrange a close fourth quarter.
The game was close until the seven-minute mark when Ryan Reyes scored a three-point field goal; James Yap, not to be outdone, shot a trey but it rattled out of rim. The #1 draft pick on the 1995 PBA Draft Dennis Espino then led the 13–2 run as Purefoods' outside shots rattled in-and-out of the rim for a Sta. Lucia pull-away. Giants coach Ryan Gregorio used up all of his timeouts but the Realtors managed to convert their inside jumpers. Espino scored 10 points in the fourth quarter to prevent a Purefoods incursion to assure the Sta. Lucia franchise their first Philippine Cup championship and their second championship overall. Espino was adjudged as the finals MVP.
* 2007–08 Philippine Cup Champions
* Sta. Lucia Realtors Second title

## Finals Most Valuable Player

* Dennis Espino (Sta. Lucia Realtors)

## Statistics

Scoring by quarter :
| Team | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | Total |
| Purefoods | 169 | 183 | 149 | 174 | 675 |
| Sta. Lucia | 149 | 168 | 203 | 175 | 695 |

### Purefoods

| Name | GP | 2FG% | 3FG% | FG% | FT% | Reb | Ast | TO | Stl | Blk | Fls | Pts |
| Rommel Adducul | 7 | 57.1 | -- | 57.1 | 55.6 | 8.4 | 0.3 | 1.5 | 0.14 | 0.57 | 3.6 | 5.6 |
| Noy Castillo | 6 | 50.0 | 35.7 | 38.9 | 50.0 | 1.6 | 0.8 | 0.6 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 2.4 | 4.4 |
| Rey Evangelista | 3 | 77.8 | 100.0 | 80.0 | 0.00 | 3.7 | 0.0 | 0.3 | 0.33 | 0.00 | 2.0 | 5.7 |
| Chico Lanete | 6 | 29.4 | 36.4 | 32.1 | 75.0 | 1.7 | 0.6 | 1.6 | 0.57 | 0.00 | 1.4 | 3.6 |
| Ardy Larong | 4 | 0.0 | 50.0 | 33.3 | 50.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.3 | 0.00 | 0.25 | 2.5 | 1.0 |
| Marc Pingris | 7 | 54.5 | -- | 54.5 | 73.9 | 11.6 | 0.9 | 1.7 | 0.29 | 1.43 | 4.3 | 9.3 |
| Kerby Raymundo | 7 | 44.1 | 14.3 | 38.6 | 86.7 | 8.0 | 6.0 | 3.6 | 0.71 | 1.00 | 3.6 | 18.6 |
| Omanzie Rodriguez | 2 | 60.0 | -- | 60.0 | 100.0 | 0.8 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.20 | 0.00 | 0.4 | 2.0 |
| Jondan Salvador | 7 | 53.3 | -- | 53.3 | 50.0 | 4.4 | 0.2 | 1.2 | 0.40 | 0.00 | 3.6 | 3.4 |
| Robert Sanz | 4 | 66.7 | 25.0 | 52.2 | 81.8 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.8 | 0.17 | 0.00 | 2.0 | 1.6 |
| Peter June Simon | 7 | 48.1 | 33.3 | 41.4 | 74.4 | 2.4 | 0.6 | 1.3 | 0.14 | 0.00 | 2.6 | 18.4 |
| James Yap | 6 | 43.9 | 32.3 | 40.2 | 70.6 | 4.3 | 2.2 | 2.7 | 0.17 | 0.83 | 2.7 | 20.7 |
| Roger Yap | 7 | 51.4 | 30.0 | 46.7 | 66.7 | 4.8 | 2.3 | 1.7 | 1.00 | 0.50 | 2.8 | 8.8 |
| Richard Yee | 2 | -- | -- | -- | -- | 1.0 | 0.0 | 1.5 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 3.0 | 0.0 |

### Sta. Lucia

| Name | GP | 2FG% | 3FG% | FG% | FT% | Reb | Ast | TO | Stl | Blk | Fls | Pts |
| Marlou Aquino | 6 | 41.7 | 0.0 | 40.8 | 50.0 | 3.6 | 1.4 | 1.9 | 0.14 | 0.43 | 1.9 | 7.0 |
| Philip Butel | 1 | -- | -- | -- | 50.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.0 | 1.0 |
| Christian Coronel | 5 | 66.7 | 0.0 | 28.6 | -- | 0.6 | 0.8 | 0.4 | 0.40 | 0.00 | 2.2 | 0.8 |
| Dennis Daa | 6 | 44.4 | 100.0 | 47.4 | 77.8 | 3.2 | 0.0 | 0.7 | 0.17 | 0.17 | 2.5 | 4.3 |
| Dennis Espino | 7 | 61.2 | 0.0 | 56.9 | 80.0 | 4.0 | 1.0 | 2.1 | 0.00 | 0.71 | 3.0 | 16.3 |
| Norman Gonzales | 7 | 44.4 | 40.0 | 42.1 | 69.2 | 1.6 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.29 | 0.00 | 2.1 | 4.1 |
| Melvin Mamaclay | 1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 100.0 | 3.0 | 2.0 | 1.0 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 2.0 | 2.0 |
| Paolo Mendoza | 6 | 44.4 | 36.4 | 40.0 | 58.3 | 1.6 | 2.0 | 0.1 | 0.71 | 0.00 | 2.3 | 6.7 |
| Dennis Miranda | 7 | 45.9 | 50.0 | 46.3 | 83.3 | 2.9 | 4.0 | 1.6 | 0.86 | 0.14 | 3.4 | 9.3 |
| Nelbert Omolon | 7 | 56.3 | 44.4 | 53.0 | 58.3 | 4.0 | 0.7 | 2.4 | 0.86 | 0.86 | 4.6 | 13.1 |
| Ryan Reyes | 7 | 37.0 | 15.8 | 30.8 | 90.5 | 6.9 | 2.3 | 1.1 | 1.57 | 0.14 | 3.4 | 8.9 |
| Kelly Williams | 7 | 37.0 | 15.8 | 30.8 | 58.5 | 10.4 | 2.3 | 2.0 | 0.71 | 0.43 | 2.4 | 15.3 |
| Joseph Yeo | 6 | 50.0 | 36.8 | 45.5 | 79.4 | 3.3 | 2.0 | 1.5 | 0.38 | 0.00 | 1.9 | 14.0 |

## Broadcast notes

| Game | Play-by-play | Analyst | Coach's Corner | Courtside Reporters |
| Game 1 | Ed Picson | Quinito Henson | Norman Black | Dominic Uy and Paolo Trillo |
| Game 2 | Mico Halili | Jason Webb | Norman Black | Patricia Bermudez-Hizon |
| Game 3 | Mico Halili | Rado Dimalibot | Norman Black | Dominic Uy and Paolo Trillo |
| Game 4 | Ed Picson | Quinito Henson | Norman Black | Magoo Marjon and Patricia Bermudez-Hizon |
| Game 5 | Ed Picson | Quinito Henson | Norman Black | Dominic Uy and Paolo Trillo |
| Game 6 | Mico Halili | Jason Webb | Norman Black | Richard del Rosario, Dominic Uy, Eric Reyes, Paolo Trillo and Marga Vargas |
| Game 7 | Richard del Rosario | Jason Webb | Norman Black | Dominic Uy, Eric Reyes and Marga Vargas |

## Suspensions and other issues
### James Yap suspension

With Game 3 already decided, James Yap committed a flagrant foul (penalty 1) against Joseph Yeo. Yeo was driving to the basket when he passed the ball to a teammate; after that, Yap slapped Yeo in the face to mete a flagrant foul. Commissioner Sonny Barrios suspended Yap for a game and fined the 2005–06 MVP P20,000. Purefoods coach Ryan Gregorio remarked it as a "damning decision" while Realtors coach Boyet Fernandez said it was a "big boost" for his team. Yap served his suspension at Game 5 since notification to Gregorio arrived in the late evening.
In a related event, Purefoods alternate governor Rene Pardo resigned as chairman of the PBA ethics committee as a direct offshoot of the team’s disgruntlement on the way Barrios handled the James Yap case. Pardo said that, Barrios, who suspended Yap on the same day the commissioner met with some top Sta. Lucia officials at the EDSA Shangri-la Hotel, "the timing was awful. It should have been with some sense of propriety that the lunch offer was turned down." Barrios on his part didn't see anything wrong with the lunch meeting since the meeting was done at a public place.
Meanwhile, San Miguel Corporation pulled out their ads from the Associated Broadcasting Company (ABC)'s TV coverage. No reason was given. The league's technical head, Perry Martinez, went on an indefinite leave of absence after voicing his disagreement over Yap's suspension, due to "health issues."

### Joseph Yeo suspension

With SLR on a fouling spree to conserve time on Game 4, Yeo committed a flagrant foul (penalty 2) when he hit Noy Castillo in the face. Yeo and Castillo then had a shouting spree before Castillo missed his two free throws. This would assure that Yeo will miss Game 5 along with James Yap.
| Preceded by2006–07 | PBA Philippine Cup finals 2007–08 | Succeeded by2008–09 |