By Waylon Galvez
TWO DAYS after absorbing one of its worst losses in the season-opening conference, Sta. Lucia Realty produced its best game this season.
The Realtors ended a four-game losing skid with a mighty 122-75 win over the Coca-Cola Tigers in the wildcard phase of the Talk ‘N Text-PBA Philippine Cup last night at the Araneta Coliseum.
The win assured the Realtors of at least a playoff berth for the fourth and final quarterfinal slot.
They pulled off the lopsided win despite several injuries on key players and against the dangerous Tigers, who beat them, 90-85, in their final classification game and dealt the Alaska Aces a 99-98 overtime loss two days ago.
Coming off a humiliating 99-121 setback opposite Air21 last Friday, Sta. Lucia went full throttle against the listless Tigers and did not let up even when the game was already settled.
"We played great. Kung anong malas ang inabot namin against Air21, ito naman at swerte kami against Coke," said Sta. Lucia coach Alfrancis Chua, whose team ousted Coke (6-14) in the playoff race for quarterfinal seat.
"We brought that fighting form, which was the missing link. Even with various injuries, we’re able to come out strong and sustain it. That’s what we need, be it in the playoff or the quarters," added Chua.
Sta. Lucia’s 47-point winning margin ranked fifth all-time in league history. The record was the 55-point margin when U-Tex defeated Great Taste, 154-99, in 1980.
Even with a back injury, top overall rookie pick Kelly Williams scattered 21 points on top of nine rebounds, while former MVP Kenneth Duremdes, who had a shin injury last week, added 19 markers.
Aside from the two, other Realtors nursing injuries are big men Dennis Espino and Marlou Aquino, who combined for 13 points and eight rebounds.
Sta. Lucia, which improved its win-loss card to 11-9, could claim automatic berth and a best-of-five quarterfinal showdown against outright quarterfinalist Red Bull if Alaska Milk beats Air21 in the second game.
The Realtors were all business right at the opening period as they raced to a 28-15 lead.
Meanwhile, PBA Commissioner Noli Eala lambasted the sudden ouster of Sen. Jinggoy Estrada as president of the Basketball Association of the Philippines (BAP).
"The PBA condemns the move," said Eala. "It’s regrettable that such action was taken by the BAP. We’ll never support that move, we’ll continue to support the unification efforts by the SBP (Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas). The SBP will not waver in its desire to have a new, united association."
Eala branded the BAP action as the height of unpatriotism.
"It’s deceitful and most of all dishonorable. It’s also the height of double-speak. The three-man panel has already leaned back to accommodate them," he said.
Eala blamed the recent BAP action on secretary-general Graham Lim, claiming that the decision was not the BAP board’s majority decision.
The scores
First Game
Sta. Lucia 122 — Williams 21, Duremdes 19, Mendoza 17, Catli 11, Calimag 11, Espino 9, Omolon 8, Gonzales 8, Bughao 7, Cabagnot 7, Aquino 4, Isip 0.
Coca-Cola 75 — Arigo 22, Miranda 15, caceres 13, Pacana 7, Peek 7, Misolas 5, Yeo 4, Salansang 2, Gavino 0, Ramos 0, Ferreria 0.
Quarters: 28-15, 58-34, 91-50, 122-75.
Second Game
air21 112 — David 32, De Ocampo 17, Billones 16, Telan 14, Canaleta 13, Arboleda 10, Sotto 6, Santos 4, Andaya 0, Dimaunahan 0, Bernardo 0.
alaska 106 — Cariaso 19, Ferriols 18, Miller 14, Dela Cruz 12, Laure 10, Thoss 9, Hugnatan 9, Singson 4, Bajar 4, Aban 3, Juinio 2, Belasco 2.
Quarters: 19-29, 51-58, 84-88, 112-106.
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