Coffee Masters keep flickering hopes alive by stunning Realtors

Barako Bull tripped Sta. Lucia, 103-100, giving its frantic bid for a wildcard berth in the PBA Fiesta Cup a last-minute push Sunday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium. Sammy Monroe exploded for a conference-high 41 points as he engaged Realtors counterpart Anthony Johnson in a virtual shootout. But it was the Barako Coffee’s import's big defensive gem down the stretch which proved to be the most decisive play.

Despite favoring a hurting back, Monroe soared high and blocked Ogie Menor’s shot, paving the way for a transition play at the other end which the Coffee Masters completed with a three-point play courtesy of Aries Dimaunahan for a 102-100 lead. Monroe’s block and Dimaunahan’s three-point play were enough to help the Energy Coffee Masters in snapping out of their seven-game losing skid. The Coffee Makers have now improved to 3-13, just half a game behind Air21 Express (3-12) and within sight of their latest victim in the fight for a wildcard slot. “We still have a chance. It’s a per game basis," said winning coach Junel Baculi. It’s not going to be easy, though. Up next for Barako Coffee is league leader Talk `N Text (June 23) before capping its elimination round campaign against James Yap and the Derby Ace Llamados on the 27th. “We need to win those games. We have two tough opponents, but we’ll see what we can do," Baculi added. Monroe collected 14 rebounds and dished out five assists, while Mark Isip played his best game as a Coffee Master with 22 points coming off the bench. Johnson finished with a game-high 45 points, just a point short of tying his season-high. He also converted nine three-pointers, the last of which gave the Realtors a 99-93 lead with 3:29 to go. Unfortunately, that was to be Sta. Lucia’s final field goal for the game as the Coffee Makers finished their opponents with a 10-1 windup. Following Dimaunahan’s three-point play, Gabby Espinas was called for an offensive foul on Paolo Hubalde with 6.7 seconds remaining. The Realtors quickly fouled Monroe, who split his charities for a 103-100 count. But the Realtors fumbled in their final play, failing to convert or even throw up a decent shot in the final 5.1 seconds. Sta. Lucia has now dropped six games in a row and remained winless since trading away franchise players Kelly Williams and Ryan Reyes to Talk ‘N Text. - RCJ, GMANews.TV