Dethroned Realtors secure third place

Denok Miranda scored on a one-handed baseline floater for the marginal basket as Sta. Lucia Realty upended San Miguel Beer, 99-97, for second runner-up honors in the KFC PBA Philippine Cup at the Araneta Coliseum last night.

Miranda’s basket shattered the 97-all deadlock with 1:30 left to play, and both teams went scoreless the rest of the way, enabling the Realtors to escape with the win and gain their sixth third-place trophy in franchise history.

“We fell two games short of making the finals but we still considered it a good run, taking into considerations the injuries and other problems we encountered in the tournament,” said Sta. Lucia coach Boyet Fernandez.

“We failed to defend the crown, and we now hope to learn from our experience here so that we can have a better run in the next conference,” Fernandez said.

The Sta. Lucia mentor said they’re taking an 11-day rest before returning to camp to start their preparation for the Fiesta Conference where their most likely import is Anthony Johnson.

Johnson reinforced the Realtors when they placed second to a Korean team in the 2007 Brunei Cup. The 6-foot-5 Johnson earlier played for the Coca-Cola Tigers in the 2007 Fiesta Conference.

“Actually, we have a short list of four prospects but Johnson is our priority. He’s available anytime to play for us,” said Fernandez.

Dennis Espino shot 21 points while Kelly Williams fired 15 points and snared 14 rebounds for the Realtors who beat a San Miguel team which opted to rest its injured stars.

Wesley Gonzales put in a career-high 25 points in the absence of Danny Seigle, Dorian Peña, Lordy Tugade and Jay Washington.

Marc Pingris contributed 20 points and Chris Calaguio added 19 but the Beermen faltered at the finish.

After the Realtors made it 99-97 on Miranda’s basket, they hung on till the end as Bonbon Custodio missed a short jumper, Pingris turned the ball over then Mick Pennisi flubbed a three-pointer.

The Realtors operated on a halfcourt set, beating the Beermen’s running attack.

Curiously, the Realtors snatched the victory despite being beaten by the Beermen, 4-23, on fastbreak points.