The Realtors missed the services of tough rookie Kelly Williams who had to fly to the US for a very urgent matter. His absence almost mattered as Sta. Lucia found itself trailing the rookie team on several occasions.
It took the hot hands of Paolo Mendoza and the experience of Dennis Espino to bail the Realtors out of trouble on their way to a 6-1 record, just one full game ahead of Ginebra’s 5-2 mark.
Welcoat, the newest kid on the PBA block, threatened last at 68-72. An 8-0 counter-attack by Sta. Lucia was enough to deal the Dragons their sixth loss in eight games.
"We really needed this win because the other teams are beginning to step up," said Sta. Lucia coach Alfrancis Chua, who drew a combined 34 points from Mendoza and Espino.