Sta. Lucia Realtors

IMPORT Anthony Johnson said two days after the game, he is not going anywhere.

Johnson fulfilled his promised by leading the Sta. Lucia Realtors to a 94-88 victory against the hard-luck Coca-Cola Tigers on Friday to advanced to the quarterfinal round of PBA-Motolite Fiesta Conference at the Araneta Coliseum.

The 6-foot-6 Johnson, who saved the Realtors from the brink of elimination, was virtually unstoppable by scoring 42 points to go along with 24 rebounds and two steals in 48 minutes of play.

This is Johnson’s second best output this conference.

“I promised them that I’m not going home and we will have a practice on Saturday,” said Johnson, who got three triples, 13 shots and seven in the free throw line. “Coca-Cola is a great team, so we prepared hard against them.”

Coca-Cola’s reinforcement James Penny finished with 33 points and 17 rebounds, but he only scored four points in the final quarter because of Johnson’s leech-like defense all-throughout the game.

“The players worked on our game plan to the letter. And what can I say with AJ? He’s the league’s best import for me,” said Sta. Lucia coach Boyet Fernandez.

A three-pointer by Ronjay Buenafe kept the Tigers threateningly close at 77-78 with still 5:48 remaining but Johnson answered with a quick lay-up on the next play then scored on a follow-up to stretch Sta. Lucia’s lead to five points.

A dunked by Penny and a reverse shot by Paul Asi Taulava pulled Coke to 81-82.

After a timeout, Johnson scored on an alley-hoop dunk and Ryan Reyes knocked in a huge three to sandwich a basket by Taulava and give the Realtors an 87-83 lead that stood comfortably the rest of the way.

With the win, the Realtors, the 2008 All-Filipino ruler, earned an 8-7 win-loss slate on the way to the quarterfinal round to face the Burger King in a best-of-three affair.

After a seven-point first quarter, Johnson scored in double digits in each of the next three quarters and went on to lead all scorers.

Reyes scored 16 points that went with his four assists and two steals and Nelbert Omolon added 11 and eight rebounds for the Realtors, who played without Kelly Williams.

The win was only the second for Sta. Lucia in the six games without Williams.

Buenafe contributed 15 points, the same output of Taulava, who also cornered 11 boards for the Tigers, who challenged the Realtors through five deadlocks and 14 lead changes before slowing down in the end.

Sta. Lucia took the lead for good by closing the third quarter with a 12-0 run including seven straight points from Johnson.

Individual Scores:

Sta Lucia 94  – Johnson 42, Reyes 16, Omolon 11, Miranda 8, Yeo 5, Aquino 5, Mendoza 3, Espino 2, Gonzales 2, Daa 0,

Coca Cola 88 – Penny 33, Buenafe 15, Taulava 15, Belasco 8, Rizada 4, Cabagnot 4, Dimaunahan 4,Calimag 3, , Macapagal 2, Telan 0,

Quarter Scores: 18-19, 45-42, 68-63, 94-88