Realtors derail Express; Phone Pals whip Kings
By Musong R. Castillo
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 02:41:00 05/12/2008
MANILA, Philippines—Kelly Williams and Wesley Wilson scored 15 points each in the first half and finished with identical 25 markers to lead Sta. Lucia Realty to a 113-100 victory over Air21 that snapped a two-game winning run by the Express in the Smart PBA Fiesta Cup eliminations at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
The Realtors rode the offensive explosion of the two in the first two periods to break away, then opened up leads of as many as 19 points in the third quarter on the way to jacking up their record to 5-3.
It was the first loss in three games for the Express, whose trademark run-and-gun game was effectively shut down by the Realtors. Air21 dropped to a level 4-4 card.
“I credit my players for starting strong on defense, for committing themselves to stop the transition game of Air21,” said Sta. Lucia coach Boyet Fernandez, who also had two other starters score in twin digits.
The Express were held to just two fastbreak points even as the Realtors scored 27 in that department after capitalizing on Air21’s 29 turnovers.
It was a complete reversal for both teams as the Express usually dominate opponents with their pressure defense and transition points.
In the second game, Mac Cardona had 26 points and joined hands with Jimmy Alapag in preserving a 105-95 victory by Talk ‘N Text that sent Ginebra deeper into the cellar with a 1-7 slate.
Alapag finished with 18 points behind 22 of Aaron McGhee as the Phone Pals notched their sixth win in nine outings.
Sta. Lucia rookie Ryan Reyes, who laid a big fat egg in a lopsided loss to Red Bull last week, tossed in 15 markers in starting out at the point. He also had 10 assists and four rebounds.
Nelbert Omolon added 17 points in 33 minutes for the Realtors, who played with a complete lineup with skipper Dennis Espino returning from injured bay to contribute four points off the bench.
Steven Thomas led the Express with 24 points and 10 rebounds in the game which got very physical in the second half, which Fernandez said could have been avoided had the referees not lost control.
From a shaky 34-29 lead after the first period, the Realtors put on their skates and zoomed to a 64-49 lead at the turn. They were never threatened from there.
Sta. Lucia roared to a couple of 19-point leads, the last at 82-63 after a Wilson basket with 4:48 to play in the third quarter. Wilson snared just five boards but finished with six swats.
The scores:
First game
STA. LUCIA 113—Williams 25, Wilson 25, Omolon 17, Reyes 15, Mendoza 8, Aquino 7, Yeo 6, Miranda 5, Espino 4, Coronel 1, Gonzales 0.
AIR21 100—Thomas 24, Cruz 12, Canaleta 12, David 12, Santos 11, Arboleda 10, De Ocampo 7, Se 6, Kramer 4, Billones 2.
Quarters: 34-29, 64-49, 89-75, 113-100
Second Game
TALK ‘N TEXT 105—Cardona 26, McGhee 22, Alapag 18, Washington 10, Peek 10, De Ocampo 9, Carey 8, Allado 2, Chia 0, Ritualo 0.
GINEBRA 95—Caguioa 24, Alexander 23, Helterbrand 19, Artadi 5, Valenzuela 5, Pablo 5, Mamaril 4, Crisano 4, Salvacion 3, Menk 2, Wilson 1, Escalona 0.
Quarters: 31-18, 54-35, 81-64, 105-95
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