Realtors wipe out embattled Painters

Sta. Lucia Realty dished out an old champs’ form over a youth-laden Rain or Shine side that succumbed under pressure in a rugged contest for a 101-84 rout to move within a win of the KFC PBA Philippine Cup semifinal round at the Araneta Coliseum last night.

The Realtors dominated and frustrated the Elasto Painters in the match marred by a near free-for-all resulting to five technical fouls and the ejection of Rain or Shine ace rookie Gabe Norwood on a flagrant foul.

Unless commissioner Sonny Barrios downgrades the infraction, ruled at penalty 2, the Elasto Painters will be playing without their ace Fil-Am forward as they try to avoid being swept in the best-of-three quarterfinals series tomorrow at the Astrodome.

Norwood triggered the melee when he threw the ball at Nelbert Omolon after he was fouled by the Sta. Lucia forward on the way to the basket with 5:55 left in the third quarter and the Elasto Painters down by 19 at 47-65.

Marlou Aquino was also thrown out of the game earlier also on a flagrant foul on JayR Reyes.

“The guys just showed determination and will to win. All in all, they did well,” said Sta. Lucia coach Boyet Fernandez.

“Nelbert Omolon delivered, Dennis Espino did his part although he’s under the weather while Joseph Yeo stepped up when Marlou Aquino was thrown out,” added Fernandez.

Omolon rifled in a game-high 30 points, Yeo contributed 26 points while Espino came through with a double-double with 12 rebounds and 10 points as the Realtors dominated what was expected to be a close contest.

The Realtors outclassed the Elasto Painters with an explosive running game in the first three quarters before cruising to the victory in the final period.

The Elasto Painters were limited to 33.3 percent field-goal shooting as they struggled in the face of Realtors’ tough defense.

Sol Mercado, Ryan Arana and coach Caloy Garcia were slapped a technical foul each in the commotion sparked by Norwood.

Despite the possible suspension of Norwood in Game Two, the Realtors, however, aren’t counting out the Elasto Painters yet.

“This is far from over. Rain or Shine remains a dangerous opponent without Norwood,” said Fernandez.