Riding an emotional high following a bailout win over Air21 Friday, Sta. Lucia drubbed Red Bull, 96-89, in Game One of their Talk n Text PBA Philippine Cup best-of-five quarterfinals match at the Araneta Coliseum last night.
Paolo Mendoza fired five triples and scored a game-high 19 points, Alex Cabagnot churned out a rare double-double with 16 points and 10 assists while Kelly Williams made 17 points and nine rebounds in leading the highly-charged Realtors past a Red Bull side appearing to get rusty following a three-week rest.
"Yes, we’re tired physically. But our mind and hearts are healthy," said Sta. Lucia coach Alfrancis Chua.
"Our stint in the wildcard round may be God’s will. Sabi siguro niya hindi pa kami ready kaya binagyan pa kami ng extra games before playing in the quarterfinals," Chua added.
But getting five extra games after missing outright quarters passage seemed to really toughen up the Realtors who got off to a strong start and completed a wire-to-wire win over the Bulls.
They did that minus Kenneth Duremdes and with Dennis Espino and Marlou Aquino playing limited minutes due to injuries.
"It’s God’s blessing we have young legs who can play extended minutes," said Chua. "If we can make it two in a row, it could be really our destiny."
Duremdes, who suffered a dislocated left pinky, is tipped to return to play Wednesday as the Realtors go for a pivotal two-game-to-nil lead over the Bulls.
Red Bull coach Yeng Guiao, however, said their confidence remains high.
"(Did we become rusty?) Obviously we did. At least we’re over that. Our second half was a lot better. We hope to play that way Wednesday and the rest of the series," said Guiao.
The Bulls did pick up their game after falling behind by 28 at halftime but ran out of time in their comeback bid.
They narrowed the gap at 66-81 at the end of the third and came closest at 87-92 and 89-94 before yielding the game just the same in the end.
Rallying within 87-92 on a seven-to-nothing run by Mick Pennisi, Larry Fonacier and Junthy Valenzuela, Red Bull had a chance to come even closer but Fonacier’s three-point attempt rimmed out.
At 94-89, Sta. Lucia saw Valenzuela miss another three-point try then Espino score on a fastbreak in the ensuing play as the Realtors eventually sealed the win.
"I guess we have to pay the price for having such a long break. But our confidence remains high," said Guiao.