Rookie Reyes stars in Sta. Lucia rout of Red Bull

Source: PBA.ph | December 15, 2007

Sta. Lucia drew a career effort from rookie Ryan Reyes as it tripped Red Bull 104-78 Friday night to join Talk N Text and Magnolia at fourth spot in the 2007-08 Smart PBA Philippine Cup at the Astrodome in Pasay City.

Reyes, picked third overall in this year's rookie draft behind Welcoat's Joe De Vance and Magnolia's Samigue Eman, unleashed his best effort thus far, firing 26 points to power the Realtors to the win. But it was defense that proved key as Sta. Lucia held Red Bull to its conference low output since an 86-75 win over Welcoat Paints last Oct. 24.

"Before the game, we talked about stopping their transition game, we controlled the tempo, those were the keys," said Sta. Lucia coach Boyet Fernandez, who finally won three straight since taking over last year.

Fernandez was also all praises for Reyes, who spiked a career scoring effort with 10 rebounds, four assists and a steal.

"He's really a very good player, we were right in picking him," said Fernandez. "And he's doing that despite a recurring sprained ankle."

It was the Realtors' third straight win and seventh overall to join the Beverage Masters and the Pals in a logjam at No. 4.

More importantly, Sta. Lucia moved just one game behind second running Red Bull and Alaska, which tote similar 8-5 records.

Despite foul shooting woes, Sta. Lucia erected a 59-45 upperhand in the middle of the third quarter, courtesy of a rock-solid defense that took Red Bull out of its comfort zone.

The Barakos cut the deficit down to six, 57-63, on a 12-4 blast that Leo Najorda ignited with a pair of triples, a little less than three minutes left in the period.

A 9-2 run closed the quarter with the Realtors still comfortably ahead, 72-59.

The Realtors started out hot as they raced to a 26-17 first quarter lead built around the solid all-around play of Reyes, who had eight points in the period. But Junthy Valenzuela unloaded seven points as Red Bull crawled back and knotted the count at 36-all with a couple of minutes to go in the second canto.

Reyes, however, had five unanswered points after it to spark a 7-2 exchange, pushing Sta. Lucia back in the driver seat, 43-38, at the break. (JV)

The Scores:

Second Game
Sta. Lucia 104 - Reyes 26, Omolon 15, Williams 14, Espino 12, Gonzales 9, Miranda 7, Aquino 7, Daa 6, Coronel 4, Yeo 4, Butel 0, Mendoza 0.

Red Bull 78 - Valenzuela 14, Sharma 12, Najorda 10, Robinson 10, Cruz 9, Camaso 7, Pennisi 5, Ybanez 4, Hrabak 3, Membrere 2, Bugia 2, Andaya 0.

Quarterscores: 26-17; 43-38; 72-59; 104-78.