ANTIPOLO CITY – Sta. Lucia Realty snapped a two-game losing skid as it handed Coca-Cola its eighth straight loss with a 98-92 win to boost its bid for a playoff spot in the KFC-PBA Philippine Cup Friday night at the Ynares Sports Center here.

Kelly Williams, a strong contender for the Best Player of the Conference (BPC) award, had a game-high 23 points, shooting 9-for17 from the field, while adding 17 rebounds, six assists, a steal and two shots blocks.

Undrafted rookie Josh Urbiztondo, on the other hand, contributed 22 markers while Joseph Yeo came off the bench to add 14 and Dennis Daa, who started at the other forward spot for the injured Gabby Espinas (sprained left ankle), had 11 and eight boards.

The win improved the Realtors’ record to 6-5, solidifying their bid of earning one of three outright quarterfinal seats, and possibly an automatic semifinal berth as they are just four games behind leader Alaska (10-1) and two games and a half off San Miguel Beer (9-3).

Coke fell deep in the cellar with a 1-11 record and is 0-4 under new coach Bo Perasol, who replaced Kenneth Duremdes (now alternate team governor).

“We’re just happy that we came up winners in this ballgame,” Sta. Lucia coach Boyet Fernandez said.

“Sabi ko sa mga players ko, ‘our objective is to make it to top five, (but) if we make it to the semis bonus na ‘yun.’ We’re trying to arrest our weaknesses but making it to the quarters right now is workable,” he added

Holding a 69-74 lead early in the fourth, Urbiztondo nailed a three-pointer that ignited an 11-2 run with Williams scoring six points that gave Sta. Lucia an 85-71 lead with 7:10 to play.

The closest Coke got was at 84-92, but Yeo connected back-t0-back jumpers to put the Realtors up, 96-84 with 1:53 left in the game.

Asi Taulava played his first game after missing nine due to a right sprained ankle and had eight points and 10 rebounds. Alex Cabagnot led Coke with 15, while RJ Rizada and Mark Macapagal added 13 points each. (Tempo Sports)

The scores:
STA. LUCIA 98 – Williams 23, Urbiztondo 22, Yeo 14, Daa 11, Omolon 9, Aquino 6, Waters 4, Misolas 4, Reyes 3, Mendoza 2, Pacana 0.
COCA-COLA 92 – Cabagnot 15, Rizada 13, Macapagal 13, Espino 12, Calimag 8, Taulava 8, Cruz 7, Gonzales W. 6, Gonzales N. 4, Rodriguez 3, Bono 3, Allera 0.
Quarters: 24-24; 49-45; 72-65; 98-92.