GAMES TODAY (Araneta Coliseum)
4:30 p.m.—Air21 vs Coca-Cola
6:50 p.m.—Talk N Text vs Magnolia

MANILA, Philippines—A productive import hardly solved the misfortunes of Barangay Ginebra.

Sta. Lucia Realty leaned on clutch free throws to pull off a 101-97 victory over the Gin Kings in the Smart-PBA Fiesta Conference last night at the Tacloban Convention Center.

With time winding down, Wesley Wilson, Ryan Reyes and Kelly Williams split their charities to avert a potential upset by the Kings, who came alive from 20 points down in the second half.

The Gin Kings paraded a new import in seven-footer Ernest Brown, but couldn’t avoid a third straight defeat against the prolific and pumped-up Realtors, who clinched their third straight win.

Brown, who had a brief stint with the Miami Heat in the NBA, shot six straight points and Mark Caguioa added a triple as Ginebra moved within 95-94.

But successive turnovers halted the rally even as the Realtors preserved the win from the free throw line.

Meanwhile, Coca-Cola stakes its immaculate slate with a new import while Talk ‘N Text hopes to sustain its hot form when the tournament returns to the Araneta Coliseum today.

The unbeaten Tigers shoot for a fourth straight victory in as many games against Air21 at 4:30 p.m. with a new second import in George Gervin Jr.

The Phone Pals tangle with the Magnolia Beverage Masters at 6:50 p.m. fresh from a 103-92 victory over the Red Bull Barako Friday night.

Allowed to use two imports—one with unlimited height and the other no taller than 6-foot-1—the Tigers have tapped the son of NBA Hall of Famer George Gervin to replace the injured Calvin Cage.

The scores:

STA. LUCIA 101—Wilson 22, Reyes 22, Williams 22, Mendoza 8, Omolon 8, Miranda 7, Daa 6, Aquino 4, Yeo 2, Butel 0.

GINEBRA 97—Caguioa 28, Brown 24, Helterbrand 15, Tubid 11, Crisano 7, Mamaril 6, Reavis 3, Salvacion 3, Artadi 0, Wilson 0, Pacana 0.

Quarters: 32-20, 53-35, 78-67, 101-97