Philippine Sports News and Updates

Sta. Lucia Realty rallied back from 13 points down late in the third quarter to score a come-from-behind 92-80 win over league-leading Alaska Friday night in the 2008-09 KFC-PBA Philippine Cup at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.

Norman Gonzales waxed hot in the final period as he unloaded 13 of his 19 points in that stage to help the Realtors snap a two-game slide and move to third spot with 7-6 win-loss card.

"Kailangan ko lang mag-step up dahil nag-struggle yung ibang kakampi ko," said Gonzales almost single-handedly torched the Aces in the payoff period.

Reigning MVP Kelly Williams was held to just two points in the contest but the other Realtors filled up the void led by Gonzales, Nelbert Omolon and Joseph Yeo.

Omolon had a team-high 20 points while Yeo chipped on 17 for Sta. Lucia, which avenged its 89-95 loss to Alaska in the first round bounced back from a humiliating loss in its previous game against Talk 'N Text.

"Credit to the boys. Talagang maganda ang depense espcially in the third quarter," said SLR head coach Boyet Fernandez. "Humugot kami ng energy sa aming depensa. We created turnovers that resulted to fastbreaks and turnover points."

Alaska seemed on its way to its tenth win as it controlled the game early and even took a 64-51 advantage on LA Tenorio's three-pointer with 3:47 left in the third period.

But the Aces' offense turned sour and the Realtors just couldn't miss as they unloaded a blistering 17-0 run to grab the lead at 68-64 into the final period.

Sta. Lucia scored four more points at the start of the final canto, 72-64 before Sonny Thoss ended Alaska's scoring drought with a split and a pair of baskets to make it 69-76.

Then, Gonzales buckled down to work, hitting five straight points to spark a 9-0 exchange to increase Sta. Lucia's advantage to 85-69 with 6:41 left in the game.

The Aces staged a mini run after coach Tim Cone called for a timeout as they answered back with their own 9-0 binge to stay within striking distance, 79-85, with 5:04 remaining in the game.

But Gonzales was not done yet as he scored the next five points of the game to take the game for good, 90-79, with a little over three minutes left.

The six-foot-four Gonzales shot 7-of-8 from the field and hauled down 10 rebounds in just 24 minutes of action to cover up Williams' anemic 0-of-9 shooting from the field.

Skipper Dennis Espino chipped in 12 points and 10 rebounds for the Realtors as he welcomed back Paolo Mendoza who served a one-game suspension.
Two-time MVP Willie Miller led Alaska with 22 points and seven rebounds while Tony dela Cruz had 17 and 8. Team captain Jeffrey Cariaso did not play due to an injury.

Tenorio had 14 points and seven assists for the Aces, who remain at the top of the team standings with 9-4 slate.

Rain or Shine 100 Red Bull 92

In the second game, Rain or Shine surpassed its total number of wins in its two previous Philippine Cup stints with a 100-92 demolition of Red Bull to join Sta. Lucia at third spot with 7-6.

The Elasto Painters's seventh win in the tournament are also their most in any conference since joining the league in 2006.

Allan Salangsang had 12 of his 17 in Rain or Shine's 38-point outburst in the third period to break the game wide open and hand the Barakos their sixth straight defeat to go down deeper in the team standings with 3-9 slate.

The Elasto Painters prevailed despite the absence of starting center Jay-R Reyes who sat out in the game because of a sprained left ankle.

Eddie Laure had 18 points to lead six Rain or Shine players in double figures. Top pick Gabe Norwood chipped in 13 including a pair of thunderous dunks in the second half.

Carlo Sharma led Red Bull with 18 points and 12 rebounds while Jeff Chan and Gabby Espinas each had 16 for coach Yeng Guiao.

- abs-cbnNEWS