Philippine Sports News and Updates

MANILA, Philippines - Sta. Lucia got into the groove in overtime after struggling with a miserable shooting in regulation as the Realtors repulsed the Barako Bull Energy Boosters, 80-77, last night in the KFC PBA Philippine Cup at the Araneta Coliseum.

Later in the night, Alaska Milk topped the first round of the elimination phase, capping an 8-1 win-loss record with a 101-87 thrashing of Purefoods.

“Purefoods is a tough team. On paper, they’re among those on top. We beat them playing well all night,” said Alaska coach Tim Cone.

Joseph Yeo, Ryan Reyes, Gabby Espinas and Nelbert Omolon made the crucial shots in the extension period as the Realtors beat the Energy Boosters in a match that saw the protagonists combine for a woeful 53-of-143 clip.

The Realtors escaped with their fifth win in eight starts as they finally found their range in the extra period, making five of six field goal shots and four of six free throws.

The Energy Boosters fell to 2-7 after absorbing their fifth straight loss in the lowest-scoring overtime game in the league in more than six years.

“I emphasized to my players that Barako Bull can be dangerous. Still, they came out playing a lackluster game,” rued Sta. Lucia coach Boyet Fernandez.

“I noticed the boys are focused when up against highly touted rivals. They’re not the same against teams of equal materials. This game should be a lesson for us. We really have to be consistent,” Fernandez said.

The Realtors had to rally from a 10-point deficit and lean on big breaks in the closing seconds of regulation play to force overtime.

Sta. Lucia struggled for a 32 percent shooting in the first half, enabling Barako Bull to seize control at 33-31 and into a 56-48 lead after three quarters.

But the Realtors hit their strides in time to force overtime then sustained it in the extra five minutes to come up with a follow-up to their 93-72 rout of the Barangay Ginebra Kings last Wednesday.

Yeo knocked in six straight points as the Realtors surged ahead to stay at 72-69.

• Philstar
• Philippine Sports Central