Though they came up short at ninth place in the Olympic Asian qualifying at Tokushima, Japan, Williams has promised to work hard if ever he’ll be selected again.

Late this year, RP coach Yeng Guiao chose him to be part of his 14-man line-up.

“Everybody loves to become part of the national team,” said Williams, who averaged 14.9 points, 10.9 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game in the two-round elimination of PBA-KFC Philippine Cup. “We’ll do our very best this time.”

The 6-foot-6 Williams, winner of last season’s Most Valuable Player trophy, was selected last November to become part of Coach Yeng Guiao’s 14-man National team together with teammate Ryan Reyes, the rookie of the year winner last year.

“I’m happy that Ryan (Reyes) will be one of my teammates because he knows me very well,” said Williams, who led reigning champion Sta. Lucia Realtors to last year’s Philippine Cup title. “With a lot of hard work, I’m very sure we can make it this time.”

Boyet Fernandez, the Realtors coach, said if there is one player who deserves a spot in the national team he should be Kelly Williams.

“I’m not surprised to it,” said Fernandez, referring to Williams’ inclusion in the RP team that would compete this year in the World qualifying in Guangzhou, China. “Kelly plays with a lot of heart and I’m sure he will be a great addition to the RP team. He is totally a complete package.”

Sta. Lucia Realty, with Williams around, had registered a 10-8 win-loss mark at the end of the elimination round to claim an outright quarterfinals berth.

The Realtors meet the Rain or Shine Elasto Paintmasters in the quarterfinal round after the end of the wildcard stage.

Trailing by more than 20 points before halftime, the reigning champion Sta. Lucia Realtors showed the heart of a true champion in the second half to claim an outright quarterfinal slot in the PBA-KFC Philippine Cup.

Sta. Lucia Realty’s Joseph Yeo and Dennis Espino joined forces in the second half to turn back the also-ran Red Bull Barakos, 102-98, and register a 10-8 record at the end of their elimination campaign Sunday at the Cuneta Astrodome.

The six-footer Yeo, who drilled in 5-of-10 attempts beyond the arc, scattered 22 of his 25 points in the second half and 11 in the final period to guide the Realtors end the Barakos’ elimination campaign at 5-13 win-loss slate.

“It (his team performance) only tells that we really need to play better than this,” said Yeo. “We came out flat and little lazy earlier, but we stood tall in the second half and played a true champion.”

Espino, the team captain, added 10 points in the payoff stretch to finish with a personal conference high 23 and 10 rebounds as the Realtors successfully did it skipping the deadly wildcard round.

“What a game,” said SLR coach Boyet Fernandez. “I knew Red Bull, even though they’re already out, will come out strong.”

“But the players heeded my call to have pride in themselves and in the second half, we were able to put pressure on them through our defense.”

Now, Sta. Lucia Realty remains on track trying to defend its crown no ball club has succeeded achieving in 24 years or since Greate Taste accomplished it in 1985.

“We were given the chance to defend our crown,” said Fernandez.

Kelly Williams added 15 points on 5-of-7 in the field and 12 rebounds and Christian Coronel had 10 points for the Realtors, who also drew nine points each from veteran Norman Gonzales Dennis Miranda.

Jeff Chan, who missed a potential game-winning shot in the dying seconds in Red Bull’s painfull 88-86 loss to Coca-Cola last Friday, topscored with 23 points on 5-of-7 shooting from the three-point area while Cyrus Baguio had 17 points — all in the first half.

Red Bull went into the game with no pressure at all, having lost its chance of advancing to the playoffs after similarly losing a 20-point lead against the Tigers in their last game and failing to come up with at least a game-tying basket in their last offensive play.

There was no difference this time, as the team that appeared in seven straight semifinal round stages loosened up by the time it was able to erect a 65-45 commanding advantage on a basket by Carlo Sharma 37 seconds gone into the third period.

Sta. Lucia eventually outscored Red Bull 31-23 in the third period and then took control of the match when Yeo had back-to-back triples and Espino scoring six points in a vicious 12-0 run to seize the upperhand at 96-92 from a 92-84 deficit.

From there, it was close all the way.

Chan drained a triple, and Williams put the Realtors back on safer grounds at 98-95 with a strong drive through the middle for a lay-in, time down to 1:08.

After a series of miscues, Yeo capped his brilliance for a guy coming off the bench with a lay-up with 10.4 seconds to go as Sta. Lucia took a 100-95 lead.

Magnum Membrere, however, connected on a triple to push Red Bull to within 100-98. But Espino was fouled and sank both free throws for the final count.

Individual Scores:

Sta. Lucia (102) — Yeo 25, Espino 23, Williams 15, Coronel 10, Gonzales 9, Mendoza 9, Miranda 6, Omolon 3, Aquino 2, Gregorio 0.

Red Bull (98) — Chan 23, Baguio 17, Hubalde 12, Sharma 9, Hrabak 9, Duncil 8, Membrere 5, Najorda 5, Espinas 4, Rodriguez 3, Ybanez 3.

Quarter Scores: 29-34, 44-63, 75-86, 102-98.

The Realtors meet the already-eliminated Barakos (5-12) 4:00pm at the Cuneta Astrodome.

“Defense remains to be the key in this game and hard work,” said Sta. Lucia coach Boyet Fernandez, who relies on team captain Dennis Espino, MVP Kelly Williams, rookie of the year Ryan Reyes, Nelbert Omolon, Dennis Miranda and Joseph Yeo.

The Sta. Lucia Realtors, in fourth place at 9-8, need a 10th win to claim an outright quarterfinal round.They are also tied with the Ginebra Gin Kings at 9-8.

Forward Nelbert Omolon scored 23 points,including 18 in the early half, and grabbed nine rebounds, while fearless guard Joseph Yeo added 14 points, five boards and two assists for the Realtors.

Last season’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) Kelly Williams only had eight points but he collared 12 rebounds, and had seven assists, three steals and a shot block.

Sta. Lucia improved its win-loss record to 9-8 as it grabbed solo fifth in the standings, and in the way solidified its bid for either an automatic quarterfinal seat or a semifinal slot in this all-Filipino conference.

The Tigers, on the other hand, dropped to 6-11. With that, Coke is now just half-a-game ahead of last placed Red Bull (5-11).

The Tigers have the Barakos as their last opponent in the elimination phase as they collide in a virtual do-or-die encounter on Friday at the Ynares Sports Center in Antipolo City.

“We’re just lucky Coke has injuries to their key players,” Sta. Lucia mentor Boyet Fernandez said. “But I cannot take away the credit to my players. They came out there and play like a crucial game for us.”

“It’s a nice win for us, a good preparation as we face Red Bull on our next game (Sunday). But we’ll be ready,” Fernandez said.

For the second straight game, Coke played sans the 6-foot-9 Asi Taulava, who is nursing a fractured left middle finger.

But making matters worse for the Tigers was the fact that two of its other starters did not play — veteran forward Nic Belasco and top playmaker Alex Cabagnot, who was in uniform but opted to sit out because of a knee injury.

The 6-foot-4 Belasco suffered a hairline fracture on his right ankle in the final moments of a 105-91 victory against powerhouse San Miguel Beer last Friday. He had personal conference-highs of 23 points and 15 rebounds against SMB.

Taulava and Belasco, in crutches with his right ankle in cast, were both on the Coke bench.

They combine for almost 45 points a game on the average with Taulava also leading the league in rebounds with 13 a game while Cabagnot is No. 1 in assists with 5.5.

Sta. Lucia was never threatened in the game, dictating the tempo from start to finish. A lay-up by Omolon gave them their biggest lead, 87-63, with 2:31 left to play.

Mark Telan, the only player left in Coke’s ‘Big Three’, led the team with 20 points and 15 rebounds, while Ricky Calimag and John Arigo added 10 points each.

Individual Scores:

But reigning MVP Kelly Williams, team captain Dennis Espino and fearless guard Joseph Yeo made sure the reigning champion Sta. Lucia Realtors would come up victorious in the last quarter and took the win Thursday night.

Sta. Lucia Realty spewed out a blistering 25-14 fourth quarter assault to eke out a 73-71 squeaker against Purefoods and stayed in the hunt for an outright quarterfinals seat in PBA-KFC Philippine Cup at the Ynares Sports Complex in Pasig City.

Williams, who was tapped to play again for the national team, showed his class A form by posting nine of his 17 points in the fourth quarter to go along with 14 rebounds and three blocks to give the Realtors an 8-8 win-loss card.

“It’s really great to win again,” said Williams, who shot 5-of-9 in the field. “We just need to win our last two games.”

The Realtors played tough defense down the stretch, forcing the Giants to miss crucial shots in the final moments.

After committing a 24-second violation, James Yap missed a tough shot from the right corner. Enrico Villanueva collared the rebound and was fouled by Dennis Espino.

Villanueva, however, missed the two very important free throws.

The Giants had two chances to tie the score when guard Roger Yap got the rebound, but missed his shot and Kerby Raymundo’s follow up attempt failed to find its mark as time expired.

Purefoods dropped to 7-9 card and might play in the ‘you-lose-you-die’ wildcard round.

The win also ended a two-game skid for Sta. Lucia, and completed as well a conference sweep opposite its Finals opponent last season following a 69-66 victory in their first round meeting last Oct. 18.

“We just committed to play good defense in the final quarter,” said Sta. Lucia head coach Boyet Fernandez. “All we need is win our two remaining games against Coca-Cola and Red Bull to make it to the last five.”

The Realtors started slow as Purefoods started hostilities with a 10-0 blitz.

The Giants were up by 11 points, 42-31, but Joseph Yeo, who fired a game-high 21 points, single-handedly carried the fight for the Realtors by scoring 10 straight points that sparked a 15-4 run that tied the score at 46-46.

Purefoods came back in the fourth as Roger Yap’s basket gave his team a 61-50 advantage.

But SLR answered with nine straight points capped by a pair of free throws from Dennis Espino to make it 66-65 with 3:15 to play.

After a dunk by Villanueva, Yeo nailed a three-pointer, Bitoy Omolon split his free throws and Espino made two foul shots for a 72-67 lead with 60 seconds left.

The last time Purefoods threatened was when James Yap made a basket, cutting the deficit to 71-73.

The top two teams after the Christmas day games will advance automatically to the Final Four, while the third to fifth teams will earn outright quarterfinal slots.

The sixth to ninth teams will play in the crossover knockout wildcard stage where the survivor will claim the last quarterfinal ticket. The 10th placer will be the conference’s first casualty.

Yap led the Giants with 20 points, while Raymundo added 17 and Villanueva had 12.

Individual Scores:

The Sta. Lucia Realtors, who also drew 14 and 10 points from forward Nelbert Omolon and Joseph Yeo, respectively, suffered a second straight defeat and slid to joint seventh with the Purefoods Tender Juicy Giants at 7-8.

After a 17-all deadlock in the first quarter, the Realtors delivered a strong second quarter assault when they unleashed a 23-21 scoring for a 40-38 halftime lead. Williams and Omolon merged for 12 points there.

But the Realtors could not stop Ranidel De Ocampo, Arwind Santos and Gary David from scoring the needed points in second half to snatch the advantage heading to the fourth quarter on the way to 8-7 win-loss slate.

The game was not that so easy for the Express, though.

The Express had to go through 11 deadlocks and 11 lead changes before the Realtors lost.

Sta. Lucia Realty threatened for the last time at 86-89 before De Ocampo and David knocked in back-to-back baskets to eventually win the game for Air21 at 93-86 with a minute left to play.

Individual Scores:

Quarter Scores: 17-17, 38-40, 66-62, 97-88

ASKED by someone from the green side two days ago, who is the most improved Sta. Lucia player?

I definitely answer it’s Norman Gonzales.

Gonzales erased his old time high 20 points in Sta. Lucia’s win against Alaska two years ago, when he nailed a new career-high 25 points and collected 10 rebounds in a win against San Miguel Beer (100-95) last November 20, 2008.   

In fact, the Realtors came up underdog in that game due to the absence of reigning MVP Kelly Williams and rookie of the year Ryan Reyes who were both injured. 

He almost came up perfect in the field when he hit 3-of-4 beyond the arc, 5-of-5 in the field and 6-of-6 in the foul line.

Against Alaska last November 28, 2008, Gonzales scored 20 points and grabbed 10 boards to pilot the Realtors to a 92-80 win.

He also had 15 points, 13 in the second half, against a narrow loss against the Rain or Shine Elasto Paintmasters, 79-80, last December 3, 2008.

Even Gonzales doesn’t notice his improvement every game since his team, the Sta. Lucia Realtors captured the Philippine Cup title last season. All he knows that he must play hard to contribute well everytime his team plays.

“There’s nothing new about it,” said the 30-year-old Gonzales, who played for the San Beda Red Lions in the NCAA during late 90’s. “As a professional player, I’m very determined to do anything to help my team.”     
 
Sta. Lucia head coach Boyet Fernandez said Gonzales is one of the great players Sta. Lucia Realty has. A certified defensive player who loves to bang his body against big guys and can also drain shots from downtown.

“Norman is really great especially in our last three games,” said Fernandez. “He provides intensity and leadership to the team.”  

Last year, Gonzales averaged 5.6 points and three rebounds.

MOST professional players or even in the amateur ranks are dreaming to become part of the Philippine team.

So do Ryan Reyes.

More than four months after winning the prestigious 2008 rookie of the year award, Sta. Lucia’s playmaker Ryan Reyes achieved another reward when RP team mentor Yeng Guiao selected him in the National Team.

“It is really a great honor to represent your own country,” said Reyes, who was picked by the Realtors in the 2007 rookie draft third overall. “I’m really excited too. It is a great pleasure that coach Yeng (Guiao) wanted me there (in the national team).”

Teammate and reigning MVP Kelly Williams was also tapped to join the national team for the second time. He had already represented the country for the first time, when he played in Tokushima, Japan during the 2007 Olympic Asian qualifying.

“I’m happy that Kelly and I is together in the National team,” said the 25-year-old Reyes, who finished the last Philippine Cup with a 10.8 points, 5.7 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game last season. “I just need to work hard there.”

Being a national player, Reyes said, he is ready to do his best during practices and especially in actual games.

“I’m willing to do anything to help our country to bring pride,” said Reyes, who also led the Sta. Lucia Realtors to Philippine Cup championship last season. “I want to thank coach Boyet (Fernandez) and boss Buddy (Encarnado) for being supportive.”

Reyes, who known not only in scoring but also to his hustle plays, said the practice of the Philippine team is every Monday at the Ynares Sports Center in Pasig City.

Yeng Guiao, the coach of the newly-formed Philippine team, agreed that he likes the 6-foot-1 Reyes because he is a good defensive stopper, can create situation for his teammates, and can score even in crunch time.        

The team is preparing for the coming FIBA Asia World qualifying in September in Guangzhou, China next year.

The other members of the 14-man team aside from Reyes and Williams are Gabe Norwood of Rain or Shine, Jared Dillinger of Talk ‘N Text, Jayjay Helterbrand of Barangay Ginebra, Cyrus Baguio of Red Bull, Mick Pennisi of San Miguel Beer, Asi Taulava of Coca-Cola, James Yap and Kerby Raymundo of Purefoods, Ranidel De Ocampo and Arwind Santos of Air21, and Willie Miller and Sonny Thoss of Alaska.

The Philippine Basketball Team will also see action next year in Southeast Asian Basketball Association Championship (SEABA) in May 2009, which serves as the qualifying event for FIBA-ASIA 2009.

The team might compete in Jones Cup and another short tournament held in the middle east as part of its preparations.

MOST professional players or even in the amateur ranks are dreaming to become part of the Philippine team.

So do Ryan Reyes.

More than four months after winning the prestigious 2008 rookie of the year award, Sta. Lucia’s playmaker Ryan Reyes achieved another reward when RP team mentor Yeng Guiao selected him in the National Team.

“It is really a great honor to represent your own country,” said Reyes, who was picked by the Realtors in the 2007 rookie draft third overall. “I’m really excited too. It is a great pleasure that coach Yeng (Guiao) wanted me there (in the national team).”

Teammate and reigning MVP Kelly Williams was also tapped to join the national team for the second time. He had already represented the country for the first time, when he played in Tokushima, Japan during the 2007 Olympic Asian qualifying.

“I’m happy that Kelly and I is together in the National team,” said the 25-year-old Reyes, who finished the last Philippine Cup with a 10.8 points, 5.7 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game last season. “I just need to work hard there.”

Being a national player, Reyes said, he is ready to do his best during practices and especially in actual games.

“I’m willing to do anything to help our country to bring pride,” said Reyes, who also led the Sta. Lucia Realtors to Philippine Cup championship last season. “I want to thank coach Boyet (Fernandez) and boss Buddy (Encarnado) for being supportive.”

Reyes, who known not only in scoring but also to his hustle plays, said the practice of the Philippine team is every Monday at the Ynares Sports Center in Pasig City.

Yeng Guiao, the coach of the newly-formed Philippine team, agreed that he likes the 6-foot-1 Reyes because he is a good defensive stopper, can create situation for his teammates, and can score even in crunch time.        

The team is preparing for the coming FIBA Asia World qualifying in September in Guangzhou, China next year.

The other members of the 14-man team aside from Reyes and Williams are Gabe Norwood of Rain or Shine, Jared Dillinger of Talk ‘N Text, Jayjay Helterbrand of Barangay Ginebra, Cyrus Baguio of Red Bull, Mick Pennisi of San Miguel Beer, Asi Taulava of Coca-Cola, James Yap and Kerby Raymundo of Purefoods, Ranidel De Ocampo and Arwind Santos of Air21, and Willie Miller and Sonny Thoss of Alaska.

The Philippine Basketball Team will also see action next year in Southeast Asian Basketball Association Championship (SEABA) in May 2009, which serves as the qualifying event for FIBA-ASIA 2009.

The team might compete in Jones Cup and another short tournament held in the middle east as part of its preparations.

STA. LUCIA Realty showed the form of being a champion in the second half, erasing a huge deficit from a forgettable first half.

But the three referees on both ends of the court ruined all the hard work that the Realtors spent in this game – which the fans considered as one of the horrible officiated games ever in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA).

The reigning champion Sta. Lucia Realtors erased a 13-point halftime disadvantage before absorbing a 79-80 decision against the Rain or Shine Elasto Paintmasters Wednesday night in the PBA-KFC Philippine Cup at the Araneta Coliseum.

A questionable foul had been slapped on team captain Dennis Espino who just took a rebounding position against Robert Wainwright with 26 ticks left after Solomon Mercado’s split free throw that knotted the count to 79-all.     

With Sta. Lucia on the penalty mark, Wainwright made a split free throw to give Rain or Shine a one-point edge, 80-79, en route to a back-to-back victory that earned them an 8-6 win-loss slate that tied San Miguel Beer in second place.

Veteran Paolo Mendoza, who got 11 points, attempted a game-winning jumper at the buzzer but it was way off the mark.  

“That’s very unacceptable (the loss),” said Sta. Lucia head coach Boyet Fernandez, who immediately approached technical official Ramil Cruz after the game. “I asked him why the refs did not make any call since there’s a lot of contact going on in our possession.”   

Fernandez referred to the ‘no foul call’ under the last 20 seconds in the payoff period, where Kelly Williams and Norman Gonzales were being harassed physically by the Elasto Paintmasters’ sticky defense.

Sta. Lucia Realty, with the loss, dropped to 7-7 to tie arch nemesis Purefoods in the team standings.

Kelly Williams, the team’s go-to-guy, exploded for 31 points and 12 rebounds — his best in the season after a career-low of two points in their last game against the Alaska Aces.

Sta. Lucia Realty pushed Rain or Shine to the limit as it rallied from a 30-43 halftime deficit largely behind the exploits of Williams and veteran Norman Gonzales, who poured in 15 points and collected nine rebounds.

After a long chase, the Realtors gained the upperhand at 64-63 on a 9-0 roll capped by a lay-up of Williams with a little over two minutes into the final canto.

The two teams engaged in a fierce battle from there on until the Realtors had their last taste of the lead at 79-78 on a triple by Williams with time down to 50 seconds.

In their first meeting last November 14 at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City, the Realtors nipped the Elasto Paintmasters, 88-85.

Fearless Joseph Yeo, who nearly averaged 18 points per game for Sta. Lucia Realty, was  limited to only two points.

The Realtors will face the Air21 Express in their next game.

Jay-R Reyes led Rain or Shine with 25 points along with 14 rebounds and three blocks, while top pick Gabe Norwood had 19 points, nine rebounds and five assists.

Individual Scores

Rain or Shine 80 — Reyes 25, Norwood 19, Mercado 11, Tang 7, Salangsang 7, Laure 5, Isip 2, Ibanes 2, Wainwright 2, Dulay 0.

Sta. Lucia 79 — Williams 31, Gonzales 15, Mendoza 11, Espino 6, Reyes 5, Omolon 4, Yeo 2, Miranda 2, Aquino 2, Daa 1, Jaime 0, Gregorio 0.

Quarter Scores: 25-17, 43-30, 63-58, 80-79