source: abs-cbnnews.com
Sta. Lucia Realty moved closer for a playoff for an automatic quarterfinal seat after dismantling Barako Bull, 108-86, Sunday night in the KFC-Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Philippine Cup at the Araneta Coliseum.
Kelly Williams registered his 14th double-double game for the Realtors with 25 points and 14 rebounds while veteran center Marlou Aquino scored a conference-high 17 points to lead their team to the crucial win.
Sta. Lucia improved its mark to 10-7 and must beat Purefoods Tender Juicy (11-6) on Friday to secure a playoff for the automatic quarterfinal berth.
"We’re happy we overcame this game because Barako Bull is coming off a good win against Talk ‘N Text kaya kinakabahan ako coming into this game," said Realtors head coach Boyet Fernandez who also got 14 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists from rookie Josh Urbiztondo.
"At least now, we hold our destiny. We just have to prepare ourselves dahil mahirap kalaban ang Purefoods," he added.
Ryan Reyes also had an all-around game for Sta. Lucia with 11 points, 6 rebounds, 10 assists and 4 steals while Gabby Espinas and Joseph Yeo finished with 11 and 10 markers respectively.
The loss placed the Energy Boosters on the brink of elimination as they slipped deeper at the cellar with a 3-14 mark.
Barako Bull must win its last game against Coca-Cola and hope that Rain or Shine (4-13) will bow to Alaska to force a playoff for the No. 9 spot in the knockout wildcard stage.
The Energy Boosters, which came from a 99-97 upset win over defending champion Talk ‘N Text, actually had a strong start and even led after the first period, 32-31, but Sta. Lucia’s offense finally clicked in the next period and outscored their opponents, 31-17, to grab a 62-49 halftime lead.
The 37-year old Aquino started the Realtors’ scoring binge as he had already 13 in the first period then one-time MVP Williams took over in the succeeding quarters en route to an easy win although BarakoBull tried to get closer to no avail.
Alex Criasno’s 3-point basket shoved the Energy Boosters within 2, 60-62, but Sta. Lucia finished the third period with a 15-8 run to push the lead back to 77-68 entering the fourth quarter and theRealtors were never threatened since then.
Yousif Aljamal led Barako Bull with 20 points and 11 rebounds while Leo Najorda added 19. Crisano and Ogie Menor chipped in 12 and 11 points respectively for coach Leo Isaac.
The scores:
STA. LUCIA 108 - Williams 25, Aquino 17, Urbiztondo 14, Reyes 11, Espinas 11, Yeo 10, Larong 8, Daa 4, Misolas 4, Waters 2, Omolon 2, Mendoza.
BARAKO BULL 86 - Aljamal 20, Najorda 19, Crisano 12, Menor 11, Faundo 6, Alonzo 6, Dimaunahan 4, Belano 4, Duncil 2, Hubalde 2, Reyes 0, Chia 0.
QUARTERSCORES: 31-32, 62-49, 77-68, 108-86.
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