Sta. Lucia Realtors

ANTIPOLO — Freshman Kelvin Gregorio did not waste this much awaited opportunity.

Gregorio delivered his first best performance Friday evening without reigning rookie of the year Ryan Reyes and struggling MVP Kelly Williams to help the defending champion Sta. Lucia Realtors beat the Rain or Shine Elasto Paintmasters, 88-85, in the PBA-KFC Philippine Cup at the Ynares Center here.

The 10th pick of this year’s rookie draft scored 13 points on perfect 2-of-2 shooting beyond the arc and collected eight rebounds as the Realtors notched their fifth win in nine outings (5-4) to move up in third place.

Unexpectedly, go-to-guy Nelbert Omolon finished with only two points but made all these down the stretch helping the team pick up the slack on the early exit of Kelly Williams, who only scored three points but grabbed 12 rebounds, and Paolo Mendoza.

Williams headed to the dugout late in the third with his right eye accidentally poked by JayR Reyes. Mendoza followed in a little while after a technical infraction.

The Realtors won’t be denied, though, with their reserves rising to the occasion.

Coronel scored on a buzzer-beating shot then Omolon and Norman Gonzales knocked it two charities each as the Realtors shattered an 83-all deadlock and brought Rain or Shine to second straight loss to absorb a 5-5 card that also tied Air21 and Purefoods.

“My second stringers deserve the credit for this win. As we’re further decimated by the exit of Kelly and Paolo, they grabbed the opportunity to shine,” said coach Boyet Fernandez whose Sta. Lucia team still missed the services of 2008 top rookie Ryan Reyes.

Mendoza, playing extended minutes on the absence of Reyes, had piled up a team-high 16 points high lightened by a 4-of-9 shooting in the three-point zone before his ejection.

“Excited and very determined because my friends are watching. I’m just near here,” said the 6-foot-4 former University of the East standout.

Dennis Espino finished with 13 points and Dennis Miranda had 10 points, while Marlou Aquino, Joseph Yeo and Norman Gonzales contributed eight points apiece for the Realtors.

Christian Coronel pumped in seven points, all done in the last five minutes of play. His biggest shot was a buzzer-beater that halted the rally of Rain or Shine after having tied the count at 83-all on a 12-2 run.

After Coronel broke the 83-all deadlock with 33 seconds left to play, the Elasto Painters eventually yielded the game on four straight missed three-point attempts.

Alex Compton and Mike Buendia called the shots for Rain or Shine in the last four minutes after coach Caloy Garcia was ejected on continuous complaining.

Former Realtor Mark Isip scored a game-high 23 points and seven rebounds for Rain or Shine.

Individual Scores:

Sta. Lucia 88 - Mendoza 16, Gregorio 13, Espino 13, Miranda 10, Yeo 8, Aquino 8, Gonzales 8, Coronel 7, Williams 3, Omolon 2, Jaime 0.

Rain or Shine 83 - Isip 23, Mercado 14, Wainwright 13, Reyes 8, Norwood 7, Dulay 6, Laure 4, Salangsang 3, Tang 2, Andaya 2, Ibanes 1, Arana 0.

Quarter Scores: 24-19, 41-37, 67-59, 88-85