Realtors on doorstep of history

They crashed to earth and were given up for good but the Sta. Lucia Realtors picked themselves up and got back at the San Miguel Beermen with vengeance in their eyes and moved in the threshold of a first-ever PBA championship.

The Realtors passed the test of character and will with flying colors, proving they have a fighting heart as they repulsed the Beermen, 85-71, to gain the decisive 3-2 lead in their PBA Governors Cup best-of-seven title showdown at the Araneta Coliseum last night.

A win in Game Six tomorrow or in Game Seven Wednesday will hand the Realtors their very first PBA crown since they joined the league in 1993.

"We can’t dismiss a chance of San Miguel coming back. It’s a champion team. But we’ve got the 3-2 lead and we’ll do our best to put the series away in Game Six," said Sta. Lucia coach Norman Black.

The Realtors put one foot on the championship door as they came back strong from their 73-106 blowout in Game Four, going on a rampage in the second half behind Damien Owens, Paolo Mendoza, Dennis Espino and Marlou Aquino.

They overcame a lethargic start and an early 12-point deficit as they shifted their game to higher gear in the final half, surging ahead at 61-50 at the end of the third quarter and leading by as many as 16 at endgame.

Sta. Lucia stepped up its game on both ends of the court in the final half, limiting San Miguel to only 10 points in the third quarter and Lamont Strothers to only three points in the last two quarters. Strothers ended up with only 15 in the game.

The Realtors made 24 of their own in the pivotal quarter on a 48-percent clip from the field. The Beermen were held down to a woeful 19-percent shooting in the same quarter.

"We’re very embarrassed with our Game Four setback and we just worked hard to redeem ourselves," said Black.

"We’re very embarrassed we didn’t give energy and put up effort in the last game. But we talked it over and we proved we can play the Sta. Lucia basketball," he added.

Whatever, Damien Owens proved he’s a class of his own, making his own show after being overshadowed by Strothers the last time out.

Owens sizzled with 37 points, pulled down 10 rebounds, dished out four assists, made four steals and had two shotblocks.

There was also Paolo Mendoza, who came out smoking again, hitting 17 points while also coming away with six assists and four rebounds.

Then, there were Dennis Espino and Marlou Aquino who patrolled the lane with authority, challenging almost every attempt by the Beermen inside.

With this brew, Sta. Lucia dominated the second half.

The Realtors settled the outcome of the game at 81-65 with 1:30 minutes left to play following a five-point binge.

by Owens and Aquino. Inside this stretch, Owens had two defensive stoppages, swatting away an attempt each by Strothers and Ildefonso to the delight of the Sta. Lucia throngs.

San Miguel coach Jong Uichico practically threw in the towel when he took out Strothers with a little over a minute left to play. Black gave Owens a wellcome breather seconds later.