INQUIRER Sports

Sammy Monroe made a good account of himself in his Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) debut, leading the Barako Energy Coffee Masters to an impressive, 97-93 win over the Sta. Lucia Realtors last night at the start of the 35th PBA Fiesta Conference at the Araneta Coliseum.

Monroe was brilliant from the floor where he went seven-for-nine to finish with 39 points that went along with 11 rebounds.

Monroe was at his best in the third period where dumped 17 of his total output, allowing the Coffee Masters to rip the game apart after a tight first half.

The second half started with the Coffee Masters down by two, 44-46, but Monroe?s heroics pushed the Barako up, 78-68, entering the final period.

The Realtors threatened several times in the endgame but new-recruit Al Vergara single-handedly quelled the Sta. Lucia uprising with two successive jumpshots inside the final minute.

The win also gave newly installed Barako head coach Junel Baculi a rousing debut in the pro-league.

Leo Najorda was the only Barako local to score in double figures with 12 markers while Rob Reyes, Vergara and another newcomer Rob Wainwright finished with eight points each.

Sta. Lucia import Anthony Johnson also had an impressive game after scattering a game-high 41 points but the offensive struggle of top gun Kelly Williams hurt the Realtors a lot.

Williams scored just eight points and not even the combined 27 points of Gabby Espinas and Ryan Reyes could save the Realtors.

Bonbon Custodio debuted for the Realtors with eight markers.

The Realtors took Custodio from the San Miguel Beermen in exchange for Joseph Yeo?Sta. Lucia's second-best scorer in the previous conference.

BOX SCORES:

BARAKO COFFEE (97)- Monroe 39, Najorda 12, Reyes 8, Vergara 8, Wainwright 8, Dimaunahan 5, Menor 5, Aljamal 4, Duncil 4, Gaco 2, Faundo 2, Alonzo 0.

STA. LUCIA (93)- Johnson 41, Espinas 14, Reyes 13, Custodio 8, Williams 6, Mendoza 4, Misolas 3, Aquino 2, Omolon 2, Belano 0, Waters 0, Urbiztondo 0.QUARTERSCORES: 25-23, 44-46, 78-68, 97-93. /EDITORIAL ASSISTANT CALVIN D. CORDOVA