Sta. Lucia Realty struck with a 71-55 rout of Foton to keep its twice-to-beat hopes alive in the PCBL Founders Cup even as Euro-Med continued its rise by halting Jumbo Plastic’s winning streak Thursday night at the JCSGO Gym.
The Realtors turned to their solid defensive game in the second quarter, holding their rivals to only nine points. Only three players managed to score for the Toplander during that stretch as the Realtors unloaded 22 points, allowing them to take command, 38-23.
Jhaps Bautista topscored for Sta. Lucia with 17 points followed by Mark Montilla with 11.
The Realtors opened the third period with an 11-0 run for a 49-23 spread.
It was the fourth win in seven games for the Realtors, who improved to 4-3 and forged a three-way with Cagayan Valley and Euro-Med for third place in the tournament supported by Spalding, Ambucore, Accel and Aquabest.
Euro-Med came from behind to snap Jumbo Plastic’s five-game win streak with a 81-74 win in the second game.
Euro-Med held the enemy to only eight points in the third period. From a 26-36 deficit, head coach Yong Garcia and his boys unloaded a murderous 26-6 run capped by Paul Zamar’s triple with 1:04 left in the third period to give Euro-Med a 52-42 lead.
Mar Villahermosa led the charge for his team, finishing with 20 points.