Realtors hold off Lewis, Painters

MANILA, Philippines - It took Sta. Lucia’s twin towers to stop the rampaging Jai Lewis as the Realtors snapped the Rain or Shine Painters’ four-game run, 109-100, to force a tie at second place in the Motolite PBA Fiesta Conference at the Astrodome last night.

Espino and Aquino held Lewis to 23 points and 15 rebounds while import Anthony Johnson scattered 34 points against Gabe Norwood as Sta. Lucia caught up with its victim at 5-2 before the league takes a two-week break to give way to the holding of the RP-Australia series and the Lenten break.

“We squandered a 24-point lead but recovered and went on to win this game. I’ll take this win anytime. It’s good to be up there before the league break,” said Sta. Lucia coach Boyet Fernandez.

“Before the tournament, we prepared ourselves to be a defensive team. If we can play good defense, we believe we can win games and be among the contenders,” Fernandez added.

The bulky Rain or Shine import was held down four points and five rebounds below his averages in his first four games in the tourney.

The Realtors tightened up on defense against Lewis in the second half, holding him down to four points.

Aquino best typified the good defensive effort by Sta. Lucia with his six shot blocks that went with 10 points and five rebounds.

Johnson, meanwhile, came through with another steady performance to fuel another Sta. Lucia breakaway after blowing away a 49-25 spread.

The Realtors regained control at 77-68 at the end of the third period and breezed through to a second straight win following a 100-90 victory over the Alaska Milk Aces last Sunday.

Norman Gonzales, Espino and Aquino provided the needed support to Johnson as they foiled Rain or Shine’s bid for a franchise record win run of five games.

After regaining a commanding spread, the Realtors coasted through despite the ouster on fouls by Espino with 7:01 left to play.

Talk n Text banked on clutch shots by Macmac Cardona at endgame to avoid what could have been another heartbreaking defeat, salvaging a 124-122 win over Alaska Milk in the nightcap.

The Tropang Texters blew away a 19-point lead early in the fourth but survived, getting back on the winning track after bowing to the Barako Bull Energy Boosters the last time out where they squandered a 24-point spread.   – Nelson Beltran