INQUIRER Sports

MANILA, Philippines - The Sta. Lucia Realtors bounced back from an ugly loss to the Red Bull Barakos, venting their ire on the Air21 Express, 113-100, on Sunday night in the PBA Fiesta Cup at the Araneta Coliseum.

Kelly Williams and Wesley Wilson scored 25 points each for the Realtors, who got back on track after absorbing a sorry 108-75 loss against the Barakos last Wednesday.

Sta. Lucia stayed at the upper part of the standings with their fifth win in eight games, while Air21 saw its two-game win streak come to an end and dropped to 4-4 (win-loss).

Defense keyed the win for the Realtors, forcing the Express to 29 turnovers that resulted to easy transition baskets.

Williams, Ryan Reyes and Wilson combined for 40 points in the first half that allowed the Realtors to take a 64-49 lead at the bend.

The best the Express could do was to move within seven points in the fourth as Williams made timely baskets down the stretch to preserve the win for the Realtors.

Air21 actually out-rebounded Sta. Lucia, 54-37, but the Express' turnovers were just too much to overcome.

Nelbert Omolon and Reyes also made a good account of themselves by chipping in 17 and 15 markers, respectively.

Steve Thomas led the way for the Express with 24 points, Niño Canaleta and Marvin Cruz added 12 each, while Arwind Santos had 11.

BOX SCORES
STA. LUCIA (113)- Wilson 25, Williams 25, Omolon 17, Reyes 15, Mendoza 8, Aquino 7, Yeo 6, Miranda 5, Espino 4, Coronel 1.
AIR21 (100)- Thomas 24, Cruz 12, David 12, Canaleta 12, Santos 11, Arboleda 10, De Ocampo 7, Se 6, Kramer 4, Billones 2.
QUARTERSCORES: 34-29, 64-49, 89-75, 113-100. /Correspondent Calvin D. Cordova