PBA: Realtors turn back Aces in Williams, Reyes' farewell game

Anthony Johnson scored Sta. Lucia’s last six points from the foul line, including the insurance free throws that clinched the Realtors' 91-87 come-from-behind win over Alaska Wednesday night in the PBA Fiesta Cup at the Araneta Coliseum. Johnson paced with 34 points, 22 of which came in the first half, and was a perfect 8-of-8 from the 15-foot line. He also added 12 rebounds, three steals and a block shot in an all-around performance that gave the Realtors a strong finishing kick by the end of its first round assignment.

Sta. Lucia improved to 4-5 (win-loss) slate, tying the Coca-Cola Tigers by winning three of its last four outings despite the rumors of an impending trade involving star player Kelly Williams to Talk 'N Text. Coach Boyet Fernandez expressed some emotions in his post-game interview, admitting SLR would never be the same without Williams, who wound up as the top local scorer for the Realtors with 15 points. "I cannot picture my team without my MVP," said Fernandez of the slam dunking forward, the 2007-08 PBA most valuable player. "It’s hard to visualize this team without Kelly." Nonetheless, Fernandez is pleased to see the Realtors resuming their winning ways. "I am just happy to get this ballgame over with and finish strong in the first round. It's a nice win," he said. But the Realtors had to endure some anxious moments before getting past the Aces (4-4). They squandered a 13-point, third quarter lead and appeared on the verge of a major collapse when the Aces, behind L.A. Tenorio and Cyrus Baguio, engineered a big 12-0 run entering the final stretch, that turned a six-point deficit into an 83-77 advantage. Back-to-back three-pointers by Johnson and Paolo Mendoza brought the Realtors back into the game, however, before the Sta. Lucia import came through with his shooting binge from the foul line. His two free throws with 23.1 seconds put the Realtors in front for good, 89-87. Alaska then failed to capitalize in the next play as Baguio missed a hurried attempt from downtown. Forced to foul to stop the clock, the Aces sent Johnson to the free throw line and the Sta. Lucia import calmly sank both shots to seal the deal for the Realtors. Diamon Simpson led the Aces with 31 points and 19 rebounds, while Baguio added 14, 10 coming in the fourth quarter. - JVP/RCJ, GMANews.TV