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
"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.
