Realtors spoil SMC party

The San Miguel Beermen won several individual honors but the Sta. Lucia Realtors won the game that put them back in the driver’s seat in the PBA Governors Cup title playoff at the Araneta Coliseum last night.

Outhustled and outdefended by the Beermen the last time, the Realtors returned the compliment, playing with a lot of energy in scoring an 83-74 victory and taking a two-game-to-one lead in their best-of-seven series.

Damian Owens, the only Realtor to win a trophy in the Annual Awards Night held before the game, proved he deserved the Best Import accolade and his teammates, particularly Gerard Francisco and Felix Belano, played sterling supporting roles as they bounced back from a 78-86 defeat in Game Two.

As in Game One, the Realtors got off to a strong start and showed staying power, thus, spoiling what should have been a grand evening for the Beermen.

Danny Ildefonso made history by winning a second straight MVP award and sweeping all the Best Player of the Conference honors in the season. Olsen Racela and Danny Seigle joined Ildefonso in the Mythical First Five while Nic Belasco made it to the Mythical Second team.

But the Realtors worked hard to seize the spotlight later in the night.

Owens, for one, hacked out huge numbers with 32 points, 15 rebounds, five assists and four steals against only three turnovers in a solid no-relief job.

Then there were Francisco and Belano, who stepped up and helped big as the Realtors held off the Beermen.

"Damian watched the tape of the last game and he was really raring to come back tonight. Gerard and Felix, meanwhile, played with a lot of energy and gave us a big lift with good outside shots," said Sta. Lucia coach Norman Black.

Black said the key was that his players kept themselves from foul trouble this time, thus, they were able to play aggressively throughout.

"As I’ve said before, this is sort of a continuation of the Pop Cola series. San Miguel is the No. 1 team on defense and Pop Cola second. We have to play good defense to beat San Miguel," said Black.

The Realtors came through with baskets off transition plays, in the second quarter and sat on a 48-35 cushion at halftime.

Efficient boxing-out tactics by Sta. Lucia limited San Miguel to one attempt per possession in a long stretch in the second period and towering defensive rebounds by Marlou Aquino, Dennis Espino and Francisco gave the Realtors several points on the run.

Sta. Lucia made 10 fastbreak points against nothing for San Miguel.

But as in Game Two, the Beermen looked for mismatches and sent two Realtors to foul trouble early as Chris Tan and the comebacking Noynoy Falcasantos picked up three early fouls against Dan Seigle and Nic Belasco.