MANILA, Philippines - Sta. Lucia Realty sizzled early then went on to demolish Cagayan Valley, 84-56, and barge into the semifinal round of the PCBL Founders Cup at the JCSGO Gym last Tuesday.
The Realtors rode on a big second quarter run to seize control, pouring in 25 points while holding their rivals, who beat them in the elims, to just eight markers en route to a 45-19 lead at the turn.
They never looked back, foiling every Cagayan Valley rally with clutch baskets on their way to victory they later dedicated to team manager Buddy Encarnado, who decided to make a comeback of sorts in local basketball circuit.
The victory thus set up Sta. Lucia Realty against Jumbo Plastic in a best-of-three series with Caida Tiles and Euro-Med clashing in the other Final Four of the tournament supported by Accel, Ambucore, Spalding and Aquabest.
Caida Tiles and Euro-Med clash at 4 p.m. while Sta. Lucia and Jumbo Plastic face off at 6 p.m. in today’s start of the semifinals.