Realtors cut Giants down to size

Sta. Lucia handed Boyet Fernandez his first win as a coach as the Realtors whipped reigning champion the Purefoods Tender Juicy Giants, 102-85, in the Talk n Text PBA Fiesta Cup at the Araneta Coliseum last night.

Kelly Williams and Winston Rock both churned out a double-double game and the rest of the team chipped in as they scored their first win in the season-ending tourney after losing their first two matches to the Air21 Express and the Welcoat Dragons.

"I’m happy I’ve gotten the monkey off my back," said Fernandez as he gained his first win in pro coaching curiously at the expense of one of his former teams.

Fernandez, whose only previous coaching experience was leading RCBC to the inter-bank championship last year, was warmly congratulated by his former Purefoods coach Ryan Gregorio and teammates Alvin Patrimonio and Ronnie Magsanoc after the final buzzer.

Fernandez thought his players have already adapted to his system that they played with cohesion in dealing Purefoods a third straight defeat in the tourney.

"I’ve enforced new rules and regulations in the team. If the players believe in me and my system, I’m hopeful we’ll win more games and be competitive in the future," said Fernandez.

Williams logged 21 points and 14 rebounds while Winston tallied 18 rebounds and 12 points in leading the Realtors past the Giants, who beat them in a playoff for an outright seat in the quarterfinals in the Philippine Cup.

With the loss, the Realtors needed to go through the wildcard round and failed to make it past the quarterfinals.

Fernandez lauded Williams for his splendid game and said the 6-foot-6 Fil-Am forward really deserves to be in the RP team in reaction to The STAR report that his player is being considered to replace Rafi Reavis as reserve.

In the second game, Charles Clark missed a turnaround shot at the buzzer and Barangay Ginebra withstood Welcoat’s tough challenge, 99-97, nailing its first win after ruling the All-Filipino Cup.

"More of a relief we pulled through because we’re still searching and finding ways to win," said Ginebra coach Jong Uichico.