By: Waylon Galvez, Tony Pionilla (Photo)
While rust wasn’t an issue for Purefoods TJ Hotdogs, it was for Sta. Lucia Realty as Alaska prevailed over the weary Realtors last night at the start of the PBA Smart-Philippine Cup Final Four.
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Forward Kerby Raymundo scored 24 points while rookie guard Chico Lanete came off the bench to add 18 markers to help the Giants beat the Bulls for the first time this conference after faltering twice in the eliminations.
"Red Bull is battle-weary coming into Game 1," said Purefoods coach Ryan Gregorio, whose team is fresh from a 10-day rest. "But I’m sure they will bounce back on Game 2. At least we’ll have to win three games, while Red Bull has to win four."
"They are tough to beat because they have a huge fighting hearts. But we know we also have big fighting hearts. We won Game One, but it’s still a long uphill battle for us," Gregorio added.
Red Bull, which ousted Coca-Cola in the quarterfinals to barge into the semis against Purefoods, got 15 points from Junthy Valenzuela.
Versatile point guard Mike Cortez scored a team-high 23 points while reigning Most Valuable Player (MVP) Willie Miller came through with double-double output 19 with 10 assists.
The dynamic backcourt duo anchored that crucial third quarter run with 10 points apiece where the Aces outscored the Realtors, 36-18.
That turned a one-point deficit at halftime (45-46) to a comfortable 81-64 advantage entering the final frame for Alaska, which won its 11th conference title in the previous Fiesta Cup.
"We played a horrible first quarter, we were down by 10 (15-25)," Alaska mentor Tim Cone said. "But we stayed in the game and they gave us a chance to make a run in the second quarter, and at halftime I think our guys had confidence. They knew how to attack Sta. Lucia."
"It looks easy on the outside but it's not. We were almost blown out in the first quarter," Cone added.
Alaska, making its second straight semifinal appearance and third in the last four conference, also got solid number from veteran guard Jeffrey Cariaso with 18 points, while Tony Dela Cruz and Reynel Hugnatan had 10 each.
The Aces’ victory snapped the Realtors’ conference-high and franchise-best eight-game winning streak.
Sta. Lucia is making its first semifinal stint since barging into the Final Four of the 2003 Reinforced Conference. The Realtors’ only championship came in the 2001 Governor’s Cup with Damien Owens as import.
It was Alaska’s first win against Sta. Lucia this conference, dropping its pair of games during the eliminations.
But the Aces, who swept the Coca-Cola Tigers in the best-of-three quarterfinals, proved too much against the Realtors.
Alaska twice led by 18 points in the fourth period, the last was at 87-69 on a jumper by John Ferriols with 9:46 left to play, although Sta. Lucia cut the deficit to nine points, 8998, on a lay-up by Dennis Espino with 2:15 left.
But Cariaso and Hugnatan took turns in delivering timely baskets for the Aces that derailed the Realtors’ comeback attempt.
Game Two is set Wednesday at the same venue.
"I think young teams can bounce back easily, they find ways," Cone said. "They don’t lack the intensity. We just have to come out not only game by game but quarter by quarter and match their intensity."
Nelbert Omolon led the Realtors with 26 points, while Kelly Williams added 21 with 10 boards. Espino had 16.
First Game
Alaska 107 — Cortez 23, Miller 19, Cariaso 18, Hugnatan 14, Dela Cruz 14, Thoss 8, Ferriols 7, Quinahan 2, Junio 2, Aban 0, Laure 0.
Sta. Lucia 94 — Omolon 26, Williams 21, Espino 16, Aquino 8, Mendoza 7, Yeo 6, Reyes 5, Miranda 4, Gonzales 1, Daa 0.
Quarters: 15-25, 45-46, 81-64, 107-94
Alaska 15 30 36 26 — 107.
Sta. Lucia 25 21 18 30 — 94.
SecondGame
Purefoods 103 — Raymundo 24, Lanete 18, Pingris 14, Yap R. 12, Yap J. 11, Yee 8, Simon 7, Adducul 5, Evangelista 4, Sanz 0.
Red Bull 84 — Valenzuela 15, NAjorda 11, Baguio 10, Bugia 8, Sharma 8, Adriano 8, Hrabak 6, Ybanez 5, Duncil 4, Robinson 3, Cruz 3, Pennisi 3.
Quarters: 29-16, 48-44, 88-63, 103-84.
Purefoods 29 19 40 15 — 103.
Red Bull 16 28 19 21 — 84.
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