Realtors finally out of basement

Tired of losing, the Sta. Lucia Realtors challenged themselves to work harder and stay focused on the game.

They did, and the Realtors rewarded themselves with a 68-59 win over the Purefoods Hotdogs in a crucial duel of tailenders in Group B of the Samsung PBA All-Filipino Cup eliminations at the Araneta Coliseum last night.

"Napag-usapan namin ito after our loss to Talk N Text. Nahihiya na kami sa pamilya namin dahil puro kami talo. Sabi namin siguro kailangan na kumayod nang husto and we dedicated this particular game to our respective families," said Sta. Lucia coach Alfrancis Chua.

"This is a crucial game, championship ito," added Chua in jest, suggesting they gained significant ground on the Hotdogs, who were left alone in the cellar in their group with a 1-5 win-loss slate.

Avoiding what could have been a third straight loss, the Realtors moved a full-game ahead of the Hotdogs with a 2-4 record.

The Realtors came out strong and sustained a resolute defense throughout as they defeated the Hotdogs in a low-scoring ballgame. The combined output was the lowest thus far in the season.

"Di namin sila tinalo sa opensa, tinalo namin sila sa depensa," Chua said.

Dennis Espino, the team captain who together with Chua made the challenge to his teammates, showed good example by dishing out a heads-up performance, piling up 24 points, 12 rebounds and two assists in 39 minutes of action.

He dominated all the defenders thrown at him by Purefoods coach Ryan Gregorio, including Billy Mamaril, Andy Seigle and Kerby Raymundo who fouled out one after the other. Rey Evangelista was the fourth Hotdogs to foul out in the contest.

Raymundo probably became so much frustrated he picked up his sixth and final foul by elbowing Evangelista on the back of his head with over eight minutes left to play.

"That was really our strategy — to attack Raymundo whoever he played on defense. Alam namin mainit ang ulo," said Espino later.

Kenneth Duremdes, though still hobbled by a sprained left ankle, put in big numbers with 15 points, six rebounds, four assists and two steals. Jason Webb and Gerard Francisco added nine points apiece.

Meanwhile, the PBA Board of Governors is likely to figure in another heated discussion today as it decides whom to name as chief of the finance department of the Commissioner’s Office in a meeting at the PBA office.

The board is reportedly divided in the issue with one governor pushing for his candidate although commissioner Noli Eala has submitted a name he preferred to assume the position.

The STAR source said another governor is urging the board to give Eala a free hand in choosing the people who will work under him, thus, keeping the independence of the Commissioner’s Office.

Eala understands his appointment of people to head the three departments — finance, technical and operation — under him is subject to board approval.

FedEx forced a three-way tie for the lead in Group A with Alaska Milk and San Miguel Beer as the Express scored a fourth straight win with an 85-72 drubbing of the Coca-Cola Tigers in the second game.