Sta. Lucia salvages Third Place

Sta. Lucia “REALTORS”

Deposed champion Sta. Lucia Realty still has enough pride left to salvage some small pleasures.

And that's precisely what the Realtors showed in beating the San Miguel Beermen, 99-97, Wednesday to claim third place Wednesday evening in the KFC PBA Philippine Cup at the Araneta Coliseum.

Dennis Miranda scored what would prove to be the deciding basket through a baseline floater, the lead standing in the final 1:31 that featured more turnovers than a missed shot.

Custodio won the tap but the ball went to nobody as time expired.

"It was a good run for us, even though we fell short of the Finals by two wins," said Sta. Lucia coach Boyet Fernandez, whose team was ousted by Alaska in six games in the semifinals.

"We just hope the experience we learned in this conference will prompt us to continue to learn, check what we really have to improve on. For sure, babalik kami next conference," he added.

Next up for the team is an 11-day rest before coming back for practice starting February 9.

Fernandez revealed they have a short list of four candidates for a possible import in the Fiesta Conference that opens Feb. 28 featuring reinforcements not standing more than 6-foot-6.

Tops among the candidates is Anthony Johnson, who saw action for Coca-Cola in the 2007 edition of the same tournament. In nine games, he averaged 29.6 points, 14.4 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.1 steals and 1.1 shotblocks per game.

"We need a big guy and we want him back here for us. Marlou (Aquino) and Dennis (Espino) kasi hindi pa masyadong 100 percent," said Fernandez.

"Pero Johnson is no post player, that's why hindi pa kami sold sa kanya. We need a rebounder. If Cap (Espino) and Marlou are okay, then Johnson kami. Kung hindi, we might opt for another import."

Despite a recurring right knee injury, Espino still managed to lead Sta. Lucia with 21 points on top of four rebounds and as many assists. Kelly Williams added 15 points and 14 rebounds with Miranda and Joseph Yeo adding 13 and 11, respectively.

Wesley Gonzales led all scorers with a career-high 25 points while Marc Pingris added 20 points and Chris Calaguio 19 for San Miguel, which was denied from becoming the first team to reach the 1,000-win mark. The league pioneer's win-loss record currently stands at 999-816 since 1975.

It was the sixth third place finish overall by the Realtors, breaking a six-game losing streak for such honors.

San Miguel remains with the most third place trophies with 14.

Jay Washington came into the game only while the third period was in full blast, having just had treatment for his bruised ribs suffered in the semis series against Talk 'N Text.

Danny Seigle and Lordy Tugade also did not see action due to lower back spasms and left knee tendinitis, respectively.

Their absence was hardly felt by SMB, however.

Gonzales and seldom-used Calaguio took full advantage of their extended playing times and joined hands with Pingris in giving SMB a 34-25 first quarter lead.

As is its wont, Sta. Lucia managed to stay close and forged eight deadlocks and seven lead changes in the second half, with Pingris' layup knotting it all up at 97. (NCo) PBA.ph

The scores:

Sta. Lucia 99 -- Espino 21, Williams 15, Miranda 13, Yeo 8, Omolon 8, Coronel 8, Mendoza 7, Gregorio 5, Aquino 5, Gonzales 4, Mamaclay 2, Daa 0.

San Miguel Beer 97 -- Gonzales 25, Pingris 20, Calaguio 19, Racela 8, Villanueva 7, Pennisi 7, Hontiveros 5, Custodio 3, Bono 3, Baguion 0.

Quarterscores: 28-34, 57-61, 83-84, 99-97.

courtesy of: pbablogs

“Win Against Aces”

Sta. Lucia REALTORS

"YOU CANNOT put the defending champion down easily."

Joseph Yeo and the rest of the Sta. Lucia Realtors made sure the Alaska Aces won’t have any Friday night party after hammering out an 81-74 victory in Game 5 of their best-of-seven semifinals of PBA-KFC Philippine Cup at the Cuneta Astrodome.

When times got rough in the first three periods, Yeo rescued the Realtors in the pivotal fourth quarter, when he racked up 11 of his game-high 22 points to keep their back-to-back title bid alive despite being still down in the series at 2-3.

“It’s good that we did not allow Alaska to blow us out in the first half,” said former La Salle star player Yeo, who tallied 4-of-8 shooting beyond the three-point zone, made 3-of-6 in the field and sank 4-of-6 free throws. “We came here tonight with pride.”

“Yes, yes Yeo”

After Larry Fonacier’s triple that put the Aces on top, 62-58, with 11:22 left to go in the fourth quarter, Yeo came up on fire as he drilled in a triple and a go-ahead three-point play down to 9:26 left on the clock that gave Sta. Lucia a slim 64-62 lead.

Reynel Hugnatan, who scored 13 points for the Aces, made two straight baskets to give Alaska’s lead back, 66-64, but Sta. Lucia team captain Dennis Espino tied the count at 66-all with a put back in the last 8:37 to go.

“It is really important that we have our energy from the start and sustain it until the last buzzer,” said the 14-year veteran Espino, who scattered 12 points and collected 15 rebounds with two assists.

John Ferriols put Alaska to 68-66 advantage with 7:17 left, but the defending champion Sta. Lucia Realtors snatched the lead again, 69-68, when playmaker Dennis Miranda delivered a trey with 6:14 left.

Miranda finished with eight points, including two important threes, and seven assists.

Alaska earned its last advantage, 72-71, after Hugnatan’s two free throws with 3:54 in the game.

“Taking away the lead for good”

And then, reigning champion Sta. Lucia Realty unloaded a crippling 10-2 run, capped by the three-pointer of Miranda and Yeo, to take away the lead for good.

Alaska contested the three-point shot of Yeo that put Sta. Lucia Realty up by five, 77-72, with 2:12 left remaining on the clock, but the referees upheld their decision and the Aces loss their one and only full timeout.

The Aces, who drew 17 points from LA Tenorio, were limited to only two baskets in the last five minutes.

Kelly Williams, who pumped in 14 points and eight rebounds, sealed that Sta. Lucia’s 10-2 attack with two free throws that elevated the Realtors to a 79-72 margin with only 37 ticks to go.

“We expect Alaska to play physical game, so we should play physical as well,” said Williams, referring to his match-ups against Alaska’s Reynel Hugnatan, Joe Devance and others.

After Miller’s lay-up, Yeo made two split free throws in the dying seconds to peg the final outcome of the game.

‘Live another day”

“We lived to fight another game but we’re still down by two games. We will still take it one game at a time. We’re done with tonight’s game and we’re now looking forward to Game Six,” said Sta. Lucia coach Boyet Fernandez.

“I’m so glad the guys didn’t give up, overcoming tonight’s challenge. I hope we end our pattern of playing bad after a won game. Maybe, we can do it preparing ourselves mentally more than physically,” Fernandez said.

Willie Miller, a top candidate for the Best Player of the Conference honors, in particular was limited six — his lowest in the series.

The two-time MVP winner averaged 17.4 points before the contest.

In a major adjustment, Fernandez essentially rotated only six men in Yeo, Miranda, Kelly Williams, Dennis Espino, Ryan Reyes and Nelbert Omolon, and the gamble paid off with the Realtors staying close and beating the Aces on a strong finish.

“Hang on”

Alaska actually started stronger, taking a 10-point lead at 32-22 at the end of the first quarter.

But the Realtors hang on, coming within three, 41-44, at halftime and drawing within one, 58-59, going into the payoff period.

Reigning rookie of the year Ryan Reyes contributed 10 points and 10 rebounds with four assists, while Nelbert Omolon had seven of his 10 points in the second quarter.

Norman Gonzales also stepped up off the bench for the Realtors, who out-rebounded the Aces, 51-41.

Alaska suffered 19 turnovers, allowing Sta. Lucia to convert it to 17 points.

The Realtors also ahead in fast break points (15-6), second chance points (11-2) and three-point made (11-7).

Sta. Lucia’s Notes:

…”We’re still down but not yet out,” said Sta. Lucia team governor Buddy Encarnado, hoping and praying his team will tie the series on Sunday in Game 6 at the same venue…

….Coach Boyet Fernandez admitted Alaska’s rebuilding last season that improved its line-up has made them strong and true title contender….

…Sta. Lucia stays intact last season with only two players are added on its roster..

…But Fernandez said: “Laban lang tayo hanggang sa huli.”

…Now Sta. Lucia keeps its back-to-back title bid alive….

…Do you believe…?

Individual Scores:

Sta. Lucia 81 - Yeo 22, Williams 14, Espino 12, Reyes 10, Omolon 10, Miranda 8,Gonzales 5, Coronel 0, Daa 0, Aquino 0, Mendoza 0.