Sta. Lucia five, Euro-Med gain in PCBL caging

MANILA, Philippines – Sta. Lucia Realty vented its ire on Foton, 71-55, to stay in the hunt for twice-to-beat edge in the PCBL Founders Cup even as Euro-Med sustained its charge by snapping Jumbo Plastic’s win run at the JCSGO gym in QC Thursday night.

The Realtors clamped down on defense in the second quarter, holding their rivals to only nine points while pouring in 22 points to take control at 38-23.

Jhaps Bautista fired 17 points while Mark Montilla added 11 markers for Sta. Lucia, which opened the third period on an 11-0 binge and went on to post its biggest lead at 49-23 on a basket by Bautista with 5:18 left in the quarter.

It was Sta. Lucia’s fourth win against three losses as the Realtors moved to joint third with the Cagayan Valley and Euro-Med sides in the event backed by Spalding, Ambucore, Accel and Aquabest.

In the other game, Euro-Med snapped Jumbo Plastic’s five-game streak with a come-from-behind 81-74 triumph.

Euro-Med also leaned on its defense to turn back Jumbo Plastic, limiting the erstwhile streaking squad to just eight points in the pivotal third.

From a 26-36 deficit, Euro-Med unloaded a crippling 26-6 run capped by Paul Zamar’s triple with 1:04 left to give Euro-Med a 52-42 lead.

Mar Villahermosa shot 20 points to lead three other players in double figures for  Euro-Med.