Sta. Lucia goes out with bang

Sta. Lucia Realty, the season’s worst performer, gave itself some solace last night with a triumphant farewell game in an atrocious 2005-06 campaign.

The Realtors went on a rampage in the second quarter and closed out their Gran Matador Brandy PBA Philippine Cup stint with a 113-101 rout of the Talk n Text Phone Pals at the Araneta Coliseum.

Seven Realtors, led by Kenneth Duremdes with 24 points, scored in double figures as Sta. Lucia ended its campaign on a winning note which it hoped to spill over next season.

With nine players with expiring contracts and two first round picks in the coming Annual Rookie Draft, Sta. Lucia coach Alfrancis Chua said they’re likely to make some changes in their lineup.

"It all depends on who will make themselves available in the draft. But we’re looking for a big man or two big men if possible to help out Dennis Espino and Marlou Aquino," said Chua.

With a lineup battered by injuries, the Realtors collected only 12 wins against 25 losses in the 2005-06 campaign — the worst by the team since posting an 11-28 win-loss record in 1994.

"We played with a complete lineup only in our first three games this season. We’re not spared by injuries up to our last game. Tonight, we lost Paolo Mendoza in the second quarter," said Chua.

Talk n Text finished a few games better with a closing 18-23 record that matched its showing in 2001.

Curiously, the Pals suffered this disappointing season right after their best-ever showing — in terms of number of wins and winning percentage – in franchise history last year.

Sta. Lucia and Air21 — with its rights acquired from Talk n Text through trade — dispute the top pick in the coming draft in a lottery during the finals.

Duremdes went 4-of-10 from the three-point area, 4-of-6 from the two-point zone and 4-of-5 from the stripe for 24 points that went with six assists and five rebounds.

Espino also had huge numbers with 19 points, nine rebounds and seven assists with Aquino adding 13 points, Nelbert Omolon 12, Alex Cabagnot 11 and Ricky Calimag and Mendoza 10 apiece.

Asi Taulava and Harvey Carey combined for 46 points and 23 rebounds as they churned out double-double games for the Phone Pals.

"We treat as very important all our games. And we’re specially fired up tonight because we’re frustrated with our loss to Ginebra the last time out," said Chua.