Witnessing from his usual seat near the baseline how his maturing Sta. Lucia team more than held its own against the battle-scarred San Miguel squad Wednesday, Encarnado couldn’t help but remark that they may finally end their hunt for a first-ever PBA crown.
"Mukhang makukuha na rin namin sa wakas," said Encarnado on the eve of the second game of their best-of-seven showdown with San Miguel for the PBA Governors Cup championship.
"That victory (in Game One) is crucial. That will give the boys a big morale boost going into the next game because they have proven that they can be at par with the league’s best team," added Encarnado, whose personal treasure chest is filled with championships in the amateur ranks but still aching to get a first one in the pros.
The affable team manager, who won several championships in the PBL with ESQ Marketing, Sta. Lucia and Otto Shoes and a number of international titles, including the 1991 SEA Games in Manila with a team led by Johnny Abarrientos, Marlou Aquino, Vergel Meneses, Vic Pablo and Jun Limpot, felt there could be no stopping the Realtors from gaining the breakthrough win if they make it two in a row tonight at the Philsports Arena.
In Game One, San Miguel couldn’t stop Sta. Lucia with the Realtors pulling one big game together for an 86-80 win.
Damian Owens scored only 18 points but got all the needed support from his local teammates as they sustained the momentum of their semis win over Pop Cola.
Sta. Lucia coach Norman Black considered Game One as sort of continuation of their duel with Pop Cola with his local players complementing their import very well, something which the Beermen couldn’t do Wednesday. — Nelson Beltran