Chargers end long losing spell

Shell found some relief from a long hot summer of losses, beating Sta. Lucia in an error-strewn encounter, 72-65, last night in the Grand Matador PBA Fiesta Cup at the Cuneta Astrodome.

The Turbochargers converted just 29 percent of their field-goal attempts but saw the Realtors fumble one crucial play after another in the fourth quarter to gain the needed win after losing seven of their last eight games.

"It’s an ugly win but we’ll take it. At least lumipas yung tag-init para sa amin," said Shell coach Leo Austria.

Despite checking their skid, the Turbochargers stayed at ninth place and faced the tough task of winning twice in the wildcard plays. Shell is half game behind the eighth-running Purefoods (7-9) with a 7-10 win-loss card.

"Our target is to avoid No. 9 and No. 10 and to be anywhere from No. 5 to No. 8," Austria said.

Shooting only 33.3 percent from the field and committing 21 turnovers, including seven in the last quarter, the Realtors suffered a big blow in their bid for an outright semis entry on their eighth loss against nine wins.

They need to beat the Purefoods Hotdogs tomorrow to keep their chance at that goal or at least at a twice-to-beat incentive in the post-classification phase of the season-ending tourney.

The two teams struggled on the floor all night and ended up playing the fourth lowest scoring game in league history.

But the Turbochargers somehow hit their stride in the fourth quarter, outscoring the Realtors, 18-11.

The Realtors were limited to 11 points in the payoff period on an atrocious 3-of-16 shooting in the quarter.

Ajani Williams led all scorers with only 17 points but accounted for four of Shell’s 18 turnovers.

Meanwhile, Red Bull Barako and Barangay Ginebra both press their bids for a finish inside the upper half of the chart as they clash in a road game tonight at the University of St. La Salle Gym in Bacolod City.

Andy Seigle is making a return stint for Ginebra after being reinstated from suspension by the Commissioner’s Office.