Sta. Lucia, Foton fives keep semis hopes alive

STA. LUCIA and Foton came away with contrasting victories on Sunday night to forge do-or-die showdowns for the two remaining semifinal berths in the PCBL Chairman’s Cup at Marikina Sports Complex.

Levi Hernandez exploded for a league-record 36 points to power Foton past Euro-Med, 79-76, in overtime while the returning import Landry Sanjo carried the Realtors to a 77-67 dumping of Biyaheng SCTEX.

The rubber matches will be played tomorrow. Mighty Sports and Jumbo Plastic are already assured of semifinal spots after finishing 1-2 at the end of the elimination round.

With Hernandez finding his range, the Toplander proved steadier down the stretch as they avenged their Game 1 defeat.

Sanjo limited SCTEX big man Raul Suyod to 10 points. The return of Sanjo, who was sidelined by a hamstring problem the past month, couldn’t have come at a better time as the Realtors scrapped to keep their titles hopes alive.

His presence energized Sta. Lucia’s locals, particularly Jhaps Bautista, Wowie Escosio, Jett Vidal, Kent Salado and Ivan Camasura.

Vidal fired nine points in a late Sta. Lucia burst that gave the Realtors a 73-57 lead.

The scores:

First Game

FOTON 79—Hernandez 36, Ouattara 9, Nacpil 8, Ablaza 7, Reyes 6, Enriquez 6, Gomez 5, Rivera 2, Moraga 0.

EURO-MED 76—Poligrates 19, Adeogun 14, Alvarez 11, Custodio 8, Tajonera 8, Parala 8, Capacio 5, Salamat 2, Almario 1, Salcedo 0, Saitanan 0.

Quarters: 20-26, 36-38, 49-54, 69-69 (reg.), 79-76 (OT)

Second Game

STA LUCIA  77—Bautista 15, Escosio 10, Sanjo 10, Vidal 9, Salado 9, Camasura 8, Javelona 7, Bangga 5, Castanarez 2, Ilagan 2, Jamito 0.

BIYAHENG SCTEX 67—Batino 13, Soyud 10, de Rosario 9, Vitug 8, Villarias 8, Sumalinog 7, Akomo 6, Pangilinan 6, Calomot 0, Raymundo 0, Reyes 0.

Quarters: 17-15, 37-34, 54-48, 77-67