INQUIRER Sports

MANILA, Philippines?Talk about a complete night and you?ll end up talking about James Yap.

On a night when he scooped up two individual accolades, Yap helped Purefoods complete a dream ride in the KFC-PBA Philippine Cup title series by keying an 86-76 victory for a sweep of Alaska before close to 17,000 screaming souls at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.

Hours after winning his first Player of the Conference award, Yap drained the shots that deflated the Aces in the fourth period as the Tender Juicy Giants posted just the fourth 4-0 sweep in the PBA?third in a championship series, and first in an all-Filipino finals.

?Of course I am happy,? Yap told scribes in Filipino, a few minutes before Game 4?s tip-off. ?But more than anything, I would like the team to win the championship, so that everyone would be happy.?

A couple of hours after that statement and after 18 big points that led all Purefoods shooters, Yap got what he wanted.

?We achieved our goal,? added Yap, who was later named the Handy Fix PBA Press Corps Finals MVP. ?I am doubly happy now because me and my teammates have the biggest reason to celebrate.?

Purefoods actually won its last seven games in the playoffs en route to its fifth all-Filipino crown to tie the defunct Crispa Redmanizers for the most won by any franchise.

Roger Yap was also big, finishing with 16 points and six assists, with a follow-up of his own miss in the final 2:28 giving the Tender Juicy Giants an 81-73 lead.

The Aces entertained thoughts of coming back at that point with Willie Miller hitting a trey, but James Yap hit a three-pointer with the shot clock winding down which made it 84-76 with 1:48 remaining.

?Chapter closed. Destination reached. Mission accomplished. Now we can celebrate,? Purefoods coach Ryan Gregorio, who won his second AFC title, told reporters.

Meanwhile, Air21 and Talk ?N Text sealed a five-player swap Tuesday. The Express took back to their fold center Yancy de Ocampo and shooting guard Ren Ren Ritualo in exchange for JR Quiñahan, Mark Yee and Aaron Aban.

Also, the league upgraded sanctions and fines on teams walking out of games from P500,000 to P10 million, according to a release sent by the PBA to media offices.

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, DeVance 4, Fonacier 4, Dela Cruz 4, Ferriols 2, Cablay 1, Borboran 0.

Quarters: 21-15, 40-40, 65-58, 86-76