Aquino puts in best to lift SLR

MANILA, Philippines - Ranged against former teammate Dennis Espino and old rival Asi Taulava, Marlou Aquino played his best game in a long while as Sta. Lucia Realty scored its first back-to-back wins in the PBA Fiesta Conference following a 108-94 drubbing of Coca-Cola last night at the Astrodome.

Aquino went 8-of-16 from the two-point zone and also knocked in a rare trey and a charity for 20 points in his most productive game since making 22 in Game Two of their best-of-five quarterfinals showdown with Red Bull in the 2006-2007 Philippine Cup.

Anthony Johnson also held his own against James Penny, and Ryan Reyes and Kelly Williams contributed to the cause as the Realtors notched a third win in seven starts in the season-ending reinforced tourney.

The Realtors put up a worthy performance returning from a two-week respite as they handed the Tigers their third straight loss in their personal duels in the season.

It was also Coke’s third consecutive defeat after a 4-1 start in the tourney.

Meanwhile, San Miguel Beer and Alaska Milk seek to keep their runs going as they play B-MEG Derby Ace and Barako Energy Coffee, respectively, today at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

The Beermen go for a sixth straight win against the Llamados who set out for their 6:30 p.m. tussle introducing a new import in Cliff Brown.

“I think our problem at the post is solved with Marlou responding to our challenge,” said Sta. Lucia coach Boyet Fernandez.

“I’ve been talking to him, telling him that if he just works out, we’ll be okay,” Fernandez added. “He’s the only legitimate center that we have. I think he’s realized that we need him badly.”

Talk n Text stayed sharp despite the long break, stretching its hot streak to five games with a 120-115 win over Air21 in the second game.

Mark Cardona, Ranidel de Ocampo and Jimmy Alapag put in 20-point games as the Tropang Texters overcame Reggie Larry’s 38-point debut with the Express, nailing down a sixth win in eight games overall.