INQUIRER Sports

GAME SATURDAY (Tacloban Convention Center)
5 p.m.?Ginebra vs Rain or Shine

STA. LUCIA WAXED HOT from the perimeter and kept Coca-Cola deep in the cellar with a 98-92 victory Friday night in the KFC-PBA Philippine Cup at the Ynares Sports Center in Antipolo City.

The Realtors, with more than half of their output coming from outside shots, got an unexpected lift from rookie Joshua Urbiztondo in picking up their sixth win in 11 games for solo sixth spot.

The Tigers absorbed an eighth straight defeat in a 1-11 card.

The 5-foot-10 Urbiztondo came off the bench in the second quarter to score 22 points on 6-of-10 shooting from beyond the arc as the Realtors ruined the return of Coca-Cola?s star center Asi Taulava.

Playing his first game in close to two months, the hulking Taulava groped for form, finishing with just eight points after making one field goal in eight attempts and muffing half of his 12 free throws.

Kelly Williams had game-highs of 23 points and 17 rebounds for the Realtors, who also drubbed the Tigers, 95-76, in the first round.

Sta. Lucia scored 59 points from the perimeter, a rare feat for a squad that is known more for its inside game.

Meanwhile, American recruit Ralph Sampson scored only four points for Smart Gilas, which took a 96-91 loss from Barako Bull in an exhibition game earlier.

The scores:
First Game
BARAKO BULL 96?Faundo 16, Duncil 16, Fernandez 14, Menor 12, Alonzo 10, Dimaunahan 9, Reyes 6, Belano 6, Aljamal 4, Membrere 3, Lao 0, Chia 0.

SMART-GILAS 91?Ababou 19, Barroca 12, Ballesteros 12, Casio 12, Aguilar 10, Slaughter 7, Baracael 6, Sampson 4, Tiu 4, Cawaling 3, Ramos 2, Jazul 0.
Quarters: 14-20, 42-42, 68-62, 96-91

Second Game
STA. LUCIA 98?Williams 23, Urbiztondo 22, Yeo 14, Daa 11, Omolon 9, Aquino 6, Waters 4, Misolas 4, Reyes 3, Mendoza 2, Pacana 0.

COCA-COLA 92?Cabagnot 15, Rizada 13, Macapagal 13, Espino 12, Calimag 8, Taulava 8, Cruz 7, Gonzales W. 6, Gonzales N. 4, Rodriguez 3, Bono 3, Allera 0.
Quarters: 24-24, 49-45, 72-65, 98-92