Wilson carries rusty Realtors past Aces

Reigning All-Filipino Cup champion Sta. Lucia Realty drew a mammoth game from import Wesley Wilson as it trounced defending champion Alaska Milk, 93-86, yesterday to jumpstart its back-to-back title bid in the Smart PBA Fiesta Conference at the Araneta Coliseum.

The 6-11 Wilson, who played 10 games with the defunct Shell team this same conference three years back, celebrated his return to the PBA with 24 points, 13 rebounds and a season-high six blocks to power the Realtors to an auspicious start.

“He proved we do need him in the post,” said Sta. Lucia coach Boyet Fernandez of the former Georgetown standout.

Fernandez, however, admitted Sta. Lucia is still several notches below the top-caliber team that snared the All-Filipino title over Purefoods last month.

“There’s actually no championship hangover. Yes, we’re a step slower but I feel we’ll get in shape sooner than expected,” he said.

The Realtors turned the game around early in the fourth quarter with a 21-8 blast as they rallied from a 67-68 deficit at the end of the third period to post an 88-76 lead, the biggest in the game, with less than three minutes to go.

The Aces, who were hoping to avenge their semifinal loss last conference to the Realtors, tried to fight their way back but couldn’t come closer than seven points.

Fil-Am Kelly Williams fired 17 points he spiked with 11 boards while Joseph Yeo chipped in 14 including seven in the final canto to help the power-playing Wilson finish off Alaska.

Willie Miller had 25 points for the Aces, whose reinforcement Randy Holcombe was a total flop on his first game since playing for Talk N’ Text four years ago.

He finished with only 14 points on a measly seven-of-19 shooting clip.

Larry Fonacier and LA Tenorio made a good account of themselves on their debut in an Alaska uniform since they were acquired from Magnolia in exchange for Mike Cortez and Ken Bono last month.

Fonacier played for 22 minutes and knocked in all his four shots from behind the arc to finish with 12 points. Tenorio had only four points but had seven assists and two caroms.