Shell, Sta. Lucia clash in KO duel

Shell and Sta. Lucia Realty slug it out one more time today, both seeking to extend their campaign in the season and stay in the hunt for the PBA’s most cherished championship at season’s end.

The Turbochargers and the Realtors knock each other out in a lone game at 6:30 p.m. at the Araneta Coliseum.

The winner advances to the Selecta All-Filipino Cup quarterfinals against the Coca-Cola Tigers while the loser joins the FedEx Express, the Barangay Ginebra Express and the Purefoods Hotdogs in an early Christmas vacation.

The two teams finished squared up at seventh place on similar 4-5 win-loss cards at the close of the eliminations Wednesday when Shell repulsed Purefoods, 77-71 in overtime while Sta. Lucia nipped San Miguel, 68-65.

But there’s no question Sta. Lucia sets out the outstanding favorite in its rematch with Shell today.

For the Realtors obviously have the advantage talent-wise and size-wise–except probably in heart.

Shell coach Perry Ronquillo takes pride in having a team that fights up to the last drop of its blood. The Turbochargers showed that Wednesday as they climbed out of a 17-point fourth-quarter hole and beat the Hotdogs in overtime for the right to play the Realtors in this playoff.

"Nobody had thought we would go this far. We’re not even invited in the party. Now, we have a chance to gatecrash it," said Ronquillo.

Though admitting he has a more formidable team, Sta. Lucia coach Norman Black is not taking Shell lightly, saying the playoff is more of a mental game than physical.

And Black still vividly remembers how the Turbochargers put up a brave front in their first meeting, pushing the Realtors to the limit before Sta. Lucia pulled through.

"They even outrebounded us in that game. Surely, we have to work on our rebounding if were to beat them," said Black.