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.
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.
[2] Purefoods found their finishing kick in the fourth quarter to prevent a sweep of the championship series to clinch their first win.
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.
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.
[6] 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.
[7] With the Araneta Coliseum unavailable for February 29 due to a Ne-Yo concert, the final game was conducted on March 2.
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.
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.
Meanwhile, San Miguel Corporation pulled out their ads from the Associated Broadcasting Company (ABC)'s TV coverage.
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."