Sta. Lucia Realtors

FOR team governor Buddy Encarnado, maintaining the edge this conference is Sta. Lucia’s key to retain the Philippine Cup crown in the 34th PBA-KFC Philippine Cup against other squads.

Encarnado, who brought Sta. Lucia in the middle east and a brief training in US last off-season, believes proper team chemistry and familiarity are the most important ingredients in playing the game.

“Despite your effort to bring all the stars in your team, it is still very impossible to achieve championship if there’s no chemistry which is very important,” he said. “So I instructed my coaching staff to keep the team intact. The way I see it, I feel very positive this season.”

The success of winning the Philippine Cup, he said, last season was due to the Sta. Lucia Realtors’ all-out hard work, perseverance, teamwork, patience and defense, which they mastered. “We just want to improve every training and hope for a better result,” said Encarnado.

Asked if what team is a title contender this conference, Encarnado said: “Talk ‘N Text, San Miguel Beer, Purefoods and Alaska are very competitive because of major changes on their line-up. But we are ready to face the challenges.” 

He said the team’s hardnosed defense is also the key to keep the crown.

Kelvin Gregorio and Chito Jaime, he said, are the rookies to watch this season. “These two guys, I believed, will help us a lot.”

Aside the rookies, Encarnado is expecting more on 2008 MVP Kelly Williams, 2008 Rookie of the year Kelly Williams, Dennis Espino, Nelbert Omolon, Joseph Yeo, Dennis Miranda, Dennis Daa, Marlou Aquino and Paolo Mendoza, among others.