Sta. Lucia Realtors

SEVEN YEARS ago when the Sta. Lucia Realtors took their first ever title, most people described it as pure luck.Now, nobody can says their first ever 2008 Philippine Cup trophy are made of luck but a product of hard work, great determination, perseverance and teamwork.

No more Damien Owens and Chris Tan this time. Sta. Lucia Realty, though, stood tall in the occasion by defying the biggest odd – beating the popular Purefoods team in Game 7.

Owens, the Realtors’ prolific best import, and the buzzer-beating trey of Tan had given Sta. Lucia Realty the first crown – the governors’ cup in 2001.

Sta. Lucia Realty, in its 15th year, has won its second title with the way long-time team governor Buddy Encarnado had wanted it.

“A lot of people said it was sheer luck, but I knew from the start of this conference that my team is truly up to something,” said Encarnado. Aside from that, we are very determined to do it.”

Encarnado said they found the right mix and the right blend this year after making some drastic moves in the off-season. “Some trades looked one-sided, but we had to do something drastic,” he said.

It all began when the Realtors promoted former player Boyet Fernandez from assistant to head coach, replacing Alfrancis Chua before the last year’s Fiesta Cup.

In the middle of that conference last April, a five-player trade happened involving 1998 MVP Kenneth Duremdes, Alex Cabagnot, and Ricky Calimag to get Dennis Miranda, Manny Ramos and a second round pick in this year’s rookie draft in return.

Sta. Lucia Realty during the off-season gambled anew when they acquired spitfire Joseph Yeo from Coca-Cola for Mark Isip and Cesar Catli. Yeo’s playing career did not shine in the Tigers’ den because of the lack of playing time.

Ironically, Coca-Cola is now probably thinking why it traded the former La Salle gunner.

Yeo, in fact, was one of the players who delivered Sta. Lucia Realty to its recent first ever All-Filipino title. Miranda played splendidly too as the team’s starting point guard.

Not through with that, said Encarnado. “Nobody thought we’ll take Ryan Reyes. Management wanted JC Intal.”

The brothers of team owner Exequiel Robles were impressed with the former Ateneo Blue Eagle. And Encarnado said they took a risky decision when they selected the untested Reyes as third overall pick.

“I even told Coach Boyet Fernandez my job is on the line when they selected Reyes,” said Encarnado.

It seems like their gamble has finally paid off.

Reyes’ 9.42 points, 5.5 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 1.7 steals average in the 32 games he played had contributed well in the campaign of the Realtors.

They ruled the Alaska Aces in Game 7 of semifinals and the Purefoods Giants in Game 7 of the championship series. The last game of the first conference was witnessed by a record breaking 18, 000 fans at the Araneta Coliseum.

In fact, Sta. Lucia Realty also tapped other untested players like Philip Butel, Dennis Daa, Christian Coronel and Melvin Mamaclay.

They, fortunately, blended well with star players Dennis Espino, the Finals MVP, Best Player of the Conference Kelly Williams, Nelbert Omolon, Marlou Aquino and Paolo Mendoza, among others.

Asked if he was confident to win this championship after beating Purefoods twice, Encarnado said: “That’s why when people asked me what our chances are in this championship (series), I was so confident.

“I kept telling my players and coaching staff that if we do not believe ourselves then nobody will believe in us.”

In short, believing was just part of the whole thing.

Asked by a reporter why it took 15 years to get an All-Filipino title?

Encarnado said: “I guess the number one reason is the difficulty in finding the right combination. It’s a question of the right players and at the same time the right coach. After so many experiments, we finally found the right formula.”“The enthusiasm of the new players gave the extra boost. Knowing that they have new, sensational rookies and teammates, the veterans believed they can make a big thing out of this,” Encarnado also said.

“We adopted defensive running system. We got players who have the stamina and natural talent for running and playing go-go basketball.”

Sta. Lucia Realty attended a summer camp in Boston, with Kevin Barbosa providing heavy trainings on the players during the off-season.

It somehow worked wonders for the team, when it finished the elimination phase with a franchise-best eight-game winning streak for a 12-6 win-loss card that earned them a first ever outright semifinal berth.

It only not developed the chemistry within the team but also the players’ conditioning as well.

“That’s why in endgames, our players still had the extra push. Our opponents usually ran out of wind, but my players were still raring to put their feet on the pedal, so to speak,” said Encarnado.

All in all, the Realtors went through a total of 32 games and won 20 games to win the top prize in the tourney.

If there is one team to thank for, Encarnado said, it should be Alaska.

“Alaska is methodical, disciplined and has good character.” He said. “Looking back, it was probably the Alaska series being stretched to seven games that probably gave our players so much poise and confidence.”

“For anybody to beat Alaska in seven games… truly they must be having that kind of confidence.”

When the captain stepped up, it was another story.

Dennis Espino had been tabbed as the team’s cornerstone since being picked first in the 1995 draft. He was there with Marlou Aquino and Paolo Mendoza when the team won the 2001 Governors Cup.

Most of the games of last conference especially the elimination were high lightened by the Kelly Williams’ show.

The last game of 2008 Philippine Cup, though, was different.

Espino, 34, proved everybody he still got game, scoring 29 points to power Sta. Lucia Realty to a 100-88 win and bag the crown.

“Allow us to enjoy this moment for about a week,” Encarnado. “We’re just so happy to win this. Then maybe we can start thinking about the next conference.”