Thursday, October 23, 2008 Veteran Espino saves Sta. Lucia against Tigers
MANILA - Defending champion Sta. Lucia Realty leaned on Dennis Espino’s undergoal shot in the last 33.4 seconds to escape with a pulsating 83-82 triumph over the troubled Coca-Cola Tigers yesterday in the 34th KFC-PBA Philippine Cup at the Araneta Coliseum.
But it was actually the quick inbound pass by Dennis Miranda that mattered most for the Realtors’ second win in four matches, which moved them to a tie at fourth with Rain or Shine and Talk ‘N Text.
Miranda paved the way for the easy shot by the veteran 6-foot-6 Espino after Asi Taulava crashed to the floor with teammate Ronjay Buenafe leaving Espino wide open in the crucial stretch.
The Tigers, with acting coach Kenneth Duremdes at the bench after the resignation of Benky Favis over disagreement with the veteran players, had enough time to grab back the lead but Buenafe and Mark Macapagal missed a jumper each that allowed the Realtors to get away with the victory.
The Realtors were even held to only five points in the final six minutes of the match and were behind by four points, 78-82, with only 1:27 remaining.
Luckily, Espino completed a charity off a foul by Nick Belasco to reduce the gap to 81-82 only 45 seconds left.
Top scorer
Joseph Yeo topscored for the Realtors with 15 points, while Espino finished with 14. Kelly Williams and Nelbert Omolon each had 12.
Taulava led the Tigers with 24 points, Buenafe settled with 17 and John Arigo had 13.
Both the Realtors and the Tigers fought tooth-to-nail in the first two quarters of play that resulted to seven lead changes and six deadlocks, the last at 46-46 courtesy of Taulava on an undergoal shot at the end of the half.
The 6-foot-9 Fil-Tongan Taulava almost single-handedly carried the Tigers’ battle in the first half as he fired 17 points. (FCC)
