Sta. Lucia Realtors

IT WAS a vengeful Thursday night for the Sta. Lucia Realtors when they easily manhandled the Purefoods Tender Juicy Giants, 105-95, to get back into contention for at least a top four finish in the PBA-Motolite Fiesta Conference at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.

The Sta. Lucia Realtors, winner of the 2008 Philippine Cup, used a scorching second half rally by igniting a 31-20 burst in the third quarter, capped by the 11 points of Dennis Espino, to built a commanding 77-67 spread at the start of the final frame.

Behind the hot hands of Anthony Johnson, Joseph Yeo and Dennis Espino, the Realtors opened a 15-point bulge at 86-71 and went on to avenge their 91-93 defeat against the Giants in their previous tiff.

The Realtors halted a three-game slide and forced a four-way logjam at fourth with the Giants, the Burger King Whoppers and the Talk ‘N Text Tropang Texters.

Johnson typified Sta. Lucia’s offense with 27 points to go along with 23 rebounds, five assists and five blocks, while Yeo added 22 points and Espino, who carried the team mostly in the third period, finished with 17 points and 10 boards.

Nelbert Omolon, who did not play in the last three games due to chickenpox, came back and contributed 16 points, while Dennis Miranda had 13 points and six assists also for the Realtors who overcame Marquin Chandler’s 35 points.

With identical 7-6 win-loss cards, all four teams need to win their final assignment to get a possible playoff crack at an outright semifinal berth or a place in the Top Four which will mean a twice-to-beat advantage in the wildcard phase.

“We just need to keep winning by playing our best game,” said Boyet Fernandez, the Realtors coach. “Injuries are not the reason of our losses earlier. We just need to play tough.”

Burger King and Purefoods have each other as final assignments Sunday, the same day Sta. Lucia closes its preliminary-round stint versus San Miguel Beer. Talk ‘N Text has Alaska Milk as its last game.

Sta. Lucia continued to miss the services of Kelly Williams but the Realtors got back on track with steady shooting.

The Realtors posted its first double-digit spread in the game at 77-67 while converting 56 percent (9-of-16) of their shots in the third quarter as against the Giants’ 24-percent (7-of-29) clip.

Espino, Yeo and Johnson came through with a 9-3 run to close the quarter where Kerby Raymundo picked a fourth foul and later drew a technical infraction for continuous complaining.

Fouling out with 1:02 left to play, Raymundo took off his jersey while walking off the floor disappointed.

Marquin Chandler and James Yap led Purefoods with 14 and 12, respectively, while Johnson and Yeo had 13 apiece for Sta. Lucia as the two teams figured in a duel of runs in the first half ending in favor of the Giants at 47-46.

SLR led by three after the first quarter and opened the next period with a 6-2 binge for a 28-21 lead but Chandler and Yap teamed up in a fierce counterattack pushing Purefoods ahead at 47-43.

The Realtors made it a one-point game at halftime on a three-pointer by Ryan Reyes.

Individual Scores:

Quarter Scores: 22-19, 46-47, 77-67, 104-95