The Thunder held sway practically throughout but wavered in the face of the fierce Sta. Lucia chase in the fourth quarter, and needed to ride on big breaks in the closing seconds to pull off the win that gave them the first slot in the next round.
One big break came when Devonn Harp, with three Sta. Lucia defenders all over him at low post, kicked the ball out to Pennisi who then sank a triple with the shot clock running out as the Thunder regained the upperhand at 88-87 with time down to 50 seconds.
The Thunder, who squandered several double-digit spreads, went on to preserve the victory as they stopped Fontaine on two offensive plays in the dying seconds.
"I think we have overachieved with my team finishing with a 7-2 (win-loss) record in the eliminations. Our entry into the semis is just one big bonus," said coach Yeng Guiao as his Thunder got a crack at the finals in only their third conference in the pro league.
"Going into this game, what’s in our mind was just to enjoy the game. Sabi namin sobra na ito, pero salamat at umabot pa kami sa semis," he added.
The Thunder advanced into the semis versus the winner of the Tanduay-San Miguel matchup. However, the team is likely to miss ace pointguard Jimwell Torion for the rest of the season as he dislocated his right shoulder last night.
"It was an old injury. Pero wala na siguro kaming hihingin pa kay Jimwell because he helped us reach where we are right now. Malaki ang ibinigay niya para makarating kami sa semis," said Guiao of Torion.
Torion suffered the injury midway in the fourth quarter after he had logged nine points, four rebounds, two assists and two steals.
With Torion out, Red Bull lost a player who could harass Fontaine in defense. The Sta. Lucia import exploded for 10 points in the fourth quarter as he proved too quick for Ray Tutt. But Tutt later pulled off two crucial plays by stopping Fontaine with help coming from Pennisi and Harp.
Red Bull was already back in the driver’s scat at 88-87 when the triple-teaming defense of Tutt, Pennisi and Harp forced Fontaine to throw an air ball and the Realtors were called for a 24-second violation.
After Ato Agustin made it 90-87 on two free throws, Tutt, Pennisi and Harp threw a defensive blanket on Fontaine once again as the Thunder eventually settled the outcome of the game.