2007 PBA Fiesta Conference Finals

The 2007 PBA Fiesta Conference Finals was the best-of-7 championship series of the 2007 PBA Fiesta Conference and the conclusion of the conference's playoffs. The series was a best-of-seven affair and was the 93rd championship disputed in the league. [1]

2007 PBA Fiesta Conference Finals
TeamCoachWins
Alaska Aces Tim Cone 4
Talk 'N Text Phone Pals Derrick Pumaren 3
DatesJuly 6–20, 2007
MVPWillie Miller
TelevisionABC/TV5
AnnouncersSee broadcast notes
Radio networkSports Radio 918
AnnouncersSee broadcast notes

Road to the finals
Main article: 2007 PBA Fiesta Conference
AlaskaTalk 'N Text
Finished 12–6 (.667): 2ndElimination roundFinished 11–7 (.611): 4th
ByeWildcard phaseDef. Air21, 2-1 (QF)
Quarterfinals
Def. San Miguel, 4–2SemifinalsDef. Red Bull, 4–2

Series scoring summary
Team Game 1 Game 2 Game 3 Game 4 Game 5 Game 6 Game 7 Wins
Alaska 1131138786104121994
Talk 'N Text 851209582107110963
Venue AranetaAranetaAranetaAranetaAranetaAranetaCuneta

Game 1
July 6
7:30 P.M.
Talk 'N Text Phone Pals 85, Alaska Aces 113
Scoring by quarter: 28-16, 16-29, 19-37, 22-31
Pts: James Sullinger 25
Rebs: James Sullinger 12
Asts: Mark Cardona 3		 Pts: Cortez, Ellis 22 each
Rebs: Rossel Ellis 13
Asts: Rossel Ellis 10
Araneta Coliseum, Quezon City
Referees: Cruz, Herrera, Ferrer

Game 2
July 8
6:30 P.M.
Talk 'N Text Phone Pals 120, Alaska Aces 113
Scoring by quarter: 28-30, 25-30, 31-33, 27-29
Pts: Mark Cardona 30
Rebs: Yancy de Ocampo 9
Asts: Mark Cardona 5		 Pts: Rossel Ellis 40
Rebs: Rossel Ellis 18
Asts: Rossel Ellis 7
Araneta Coliseum, Quezon City
Referees: Calungcaguin, Aldaba, Ferrer

Game 3
July 11
7:30 P.M.
Talk 'N Text Phone Pals 95, Alaska Aces 87
Scoring by quarter: 15-30, 25-26, 27-12, 28-19
Pts: James Sullinger 30
Rebs: James Sullinger 15
Asts: James Sullinger 8		 Pts: Willie Miller 29
Rebs: Rossel Ellis 13
Asts: Ellis, Hugnatan 3 each
Araneta Coliseum, Quezon City
Referees: Montiel, Herrera, Canizares

The Phone Pals trailed by 23 points in the second quarter and then launched an amazing comeback for a 2-1 lead in the series. Mark Cardona, named best player of the conference earlier, and Felix Belano, once again hit the big baskets for Talk 'N Text, which went down, 20-43, midway in the second quarter and went ahead 75-74, midway in the fourth.

Game 4
July 13
7:30 P.M.
Talk 'N Text Phone Pals 82, Alaska Aces 86
Scoring by quarter: 25-21, 18-24, 23-18, 16-23
Pts: James Sullinger 26
Rebs: James Sullinger 13
Asts: Felix Belano 5		 Pts: Willie Miller 29
Rebs: Rossel Ellis 14
Asts: Willie Miller 4
Araneta Coliseum, Quezon City
Referees: Canizares, Aldaba, Cruz

Willie Miller, who before the game just become the seventh player in league history to win the Most Valuable Player (MVP) trophy more than once, scored 10 of his 29 points in the fourth quarter, eight in an 11-0 run that erased a seven-point deficit, down 73-80 with 3:57 to go, Miller took over and not only scored the points that mattered but dished out a brilliant assist to Sonny Thoss for a three-point play that capped the Alaska run and gave the Aces an 82-80 lead, 1:40 to go.

Game 5
July 15
6:30 p.m.
Talk 'N Text Phone Pals 107, Alaska Aces 104
Scoring by quarter: 31-25, 23-20, 25-27, 28-32
Pts: James Sullinger 24
Rebs: Sullinger, Carey 8 each
Asts: Mark Cardona 5		 Pts: Rossel Ellis 28
Rebs: Rossel Ellis 16
Asts: Miller, Ellis 5 each
Araneta Coliseum, Quezon City
Attendance: 11,097
Referees: Quilinguen, Herrera, Montiel

Game 6
July 18
7:05 p.m.
Talk 'N Text Phone Pals 110, Alaska Aces 121
Scoring by quarter: 34-22, 11-34, 31-38, 34-27
Pts: Mark Cardona 29
Rebs: James Sullinger 9
Asts: James Sullinger 3		 Pts: Willie Miller 37
Rebs: Rossel Ellis 16
Asts: Cortez, Ellis 8 each
Araneta Coliseum, Quezon City
Referees: Cruz, Calungcaguin, Canizares

Willie Miller erupted for a career-high 37 points as he redeemed himself from his lackluster six-point showing in Game five. The season MVP starred in Alaska's amazing 22-0 romp in the second quarter that fuelled the Aces' charge after a sluggish start. The Phone Pals took the opening quarter at 34-22 but went scoreless in the first seven minutes of the second period. The Aces went ahead 44-34 after the fiery salvo presided over by Miller, John Ferriols and Rosell Ellis.

It was the largest run by any team in a PBA finals since Ginebra came through with a 30-0 attack against Shell in their 1991 First Conference title playoff. The Aces sustained the momentum up to the finish, with their backs against the wall, played with great resolve, leading by as many as 22 points at 98-76 with 11:08 left to play.

Game 7
July 20
7:05 P.M.
Talk 'N Text Phone Pals 96, Alaska Aces 99
Scoring by quarter: 26-25, 27-20, 19-25, 24-29
Pts: Sullinger 30, Cardona 29
Rebs: Sullinger 13, Washington 10
Asts: Sullinger 5, Billones 4		 Pts: Ellis 30, Miller 22
Rebs: Ellis 10, Hugnatan 8
Asts: Ellis 9, Miller 5
Alaska wins series 4-3
Cuneta Astrodome, Pasay City
Attendance: 10,040
Referees: Quilinguen, Aldaba, Calungcaguin

Willie Miller came up with two big-time plays inside the final 1:17 as the Aces broke the game's last deadlock at 94 for a 98-94 lead which help Alaska cushion the impact of five missed free throws the rest of the way. The Phone Pals came within two and had a chance to tie the game in the dying seconds but JJ Sullinger was smothered by an Alaska defense that all but snuffed Talk 'N Text's hopes. After a split by Reynel Hugnatan, a last-second attempt by Sullinger from beyond the arc rimmed out.

2007 Fiesta Conference Champions

Alaska Aces
12th title

Rosters

Broadcast notes

The Associated Broadcasting Company and DZSR Sports Radio broadcast the games nationwide.

Finals broadcasters are:

Awards
  • Best Player of the Conference: Mark Cardona (Talk 'N Text)
  • Best Import of the Conference: Rossel Ellis (Alaska)
  • Finals Most Valuable Player: Willie Miller (Alaska)
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References
  1. "Aces, Pals begin title quest in Fiesta Cup". The Manila Times.
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