FANCIED Pasig-Sta. Lucia moved within two wins of a coveted goal yesterday that will certainly make it a merrier Christmas for the Realtors.
Proving steadier down the stretch, Pasig carved out a thrilling 70-66 decision over gritty San Juan Go for Gold AICC in their quarterfinals duel in the Chooks-to-Go MPBL Invitational powered by TM at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.
Prized playmaker Fran Yu boomed in a clutch jumper from the left corner that gave the Realtors a 67-63 cushion with 1:35 remaining in the fourth quarter and Pasig held its ground in the face of the Knights’ last-ditch effort.
San Juan pulled to within 66-67 on a Orlan Wamar three-pointer but Yu answered with two free throws that made it 69-66 in the last 32.9 seconds.
The Knights still had a chance to force overtime after Jeric Teng muffed two freebies, but Rhenz Abando lost possession off a Wamar pass in the ensuing play.
Ryan Costelo sank a pressure-packed foul shot that pegged the final count, only 2.6 ticks left.
Jhaps Bautista scattered a team-high 12 points, to go with four rebounds, while 6-foot-7 big man Justin Arana bucked an early right ankle sprain and chipped in 11 markers, 11 boards, and four blocks for the Realtors.
Yu also had 11 points and Jeckster Apinan 10 as Pasig advanced to the semifinals of the P2 million, FIBA-style tourney.
The Realtors tangle with either Basilan-Jumbo Plastic Medical Depot or Mindoro EOG-Burlington in the knockout semis today at the same venue.
Despite the win that kept his charges unbeaten in six matches, Pasig coach Bong Dela Cruz insisted his team is not looking ahead of itself.
“One game at a time. Hindi pa kami nakatingin doon (winning the title). Trabaho pa rin kami, tsaka na iyong prize,” Dela Cruz said.
“Naka-focus ako sa bracket namin and sa makakalaban namin sa crossover so hindi ko pa talaga tinitignan iyong ibang teams,” he added.
The Realtors took a 40-39 lead at the half.
Engaged in a nip-and-tuck battle, San Juan tied the game at 54-all going into the payoff period.
JM Calma paced the Knights with 13 points and 10 rebounds, while Abando and Larry Rodriguez had 10 each that went for naught.
