Ray Tutt struggled for only 14 points but converted crucial free throws in the closing seconds, helping the Realtors set up a semifinal confrontation with the San Miguel Beermen.
The best-of-five semifinals start tomorrow also at the Big Dome with Coca-Cola and Talk n Text clashing in the 4 p.m. curtain-raiser and Sta. Lucia and San Miguel colliding in the 6:30 p.m. mainer.
"Ray Tutt said he’s not yet ready to go home. And Kenneth (Duremdes), Marlou (Aquino) and Dennis (Espino) also talked to me, making a commitment to help the team make the semis. And they did it," said Sta. Lucia coach Alfrancis Chua. — Nelson Beltran