James Yap, Kelly Williams share weekly PBA honors

December 31 - January 06

James Yap of Purefoods Tender Juicy Hotdogs has continued to stand tallest among the Giants while "Machine Gun" Kelly Williams of Sta. Lucia Realty remains rock solid for the Sta. Lucia Realtors. Both shared the weekly PBA recognition for the period December 31 to January 6.

"Big Game James" scored a conference high-tying 29 points last Sunday, lifting Purefoods to a 101-87 win over Coca-Cola and into the first automatic semifinals berths with a 12-4 win-loss record.

"James hit a lot of big-time shots in the second half (20 of his 25 points). And then his timely treys (5-of-11) doused cold water on the rally aspirations of Coca-Cola ," noted Giants coach Ryan Gregorio.

That's only part of the truth, however, as Yap's first five points of the game – a twinner and triple – in the final minute of the opening quarter led a 9-0 spurt that turned out to be the telling run of the match.

Gregorio acknowledges this.

"He has bailed us out of trouble so many times in the past and he continues to amaze me with his vast repertoire of offensive brilliance," the mentor added.

Some two hours later, at the same Big Dome venue, Williams churned up - points and a career-high 18 rebounds as SLR gave Magnolia a 97-77 drubbing that kept alive the Realtors' bid of also making the semis outright.

Should the Realtors win their last eliminations game against Air21 on January 13, they will then stretch their franchise record of won eliminations games while clinching the other automatic semis slot.

Sunday's win was SLR's 11th in 17 games overall and coach Boyet Fernandez can't help but point out Williams, who shone the most when rookie Ryan Reyes left the game early in the fourth period due to a hit on the jaw.

"Kelly was a terror off the boards and he's improving everyday on his offensive moves. But one thing little noticed is his defense," said Fernandez. "Kelly is now an all-around player and I'm happy and proud of him."

The said teams' prospects are also looking positively brilliant. In the 2006 Philippine Cup, Purefoods also clinched an outright semifinal berth and the No. 1 seeding in the playoffs and went on to win the championship.

Since the format was instituted in the 2004-05 season, this is the first time SLR has earned at least an automatic quarterfinals berth. But its seven straight win has already tied the franchise record set when the Realtors won their first and only title, in the 2001 Governors Cup.

"We've achieved our original goal which was just the Magic Five. If ever we make it to the semis outright, it's just the icing on the cake," said Fernandez.