by Nelson Beltran, March 4, 2008
http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Sports&p=49&type=2&sec=30&aid=2008030391
Right blending, right formula.
After 15 long years, Sta. Lucia Realty has got all these, spelling the difference as the giant land-developing franchise ended its hunt for a first ever All-Filipino championship in the pro league.
The Realtors outfought the Purefoods Tender Juicy Giants, 100-88, in a pulsating Game Seven duel Sunday to win the 2007-08 Smart PBA Philippine Cup crown before a virtual sea of humanity at the Araneta Coliseum.
A special bunch of players and a feisty young coach delivered the victory, ending the team’s long search for another championship after its lone title conquest in the 2001 Governors Cup.
Only three players in Dennis Espino, Marlou Aquino and Paolo Mendoza are part of the two championships. They agree the All-Filipino title is far sweeter than the team’s triumph in the import-reinforced tourney.
It was meaningful, too, for Espino, 34, and Aquino, 35, who are nearing the end of their playing career.
They’re the first to admit they couldn’t have achieved the feat if not for the drastic moves taken by the ball club to form the lineup it has got right now.
The management effected a massive overhaul that included a coaching change with Boyet Fernandez taking over from Alfrancis Chua before the Fiesta Cup last year. Then there’s the departure of Kenneth Duremdes, Ricky Calimag and Alex Cabagnot in exchange for Denok Miranda and Manny Ramos then Cesar Catli and Mark Isip for Joseph Yeo.
Kelly Williams, Nelbert Omolon and Ryan Reyes are the team’s prized acquisitions from the rookie draft.
“To be able to form this winning team, I can now say we may really be destined to be champions,” said Buddy Encarnado, the team’s representative to the PBA board since its entry in the league in 1993.
“It’s about timing and right combination. After tinkering with the team, we found the right formula. We got the right mix and right coach,” Encarnado added.
Encarnado and Fernandez said the team’s training in the US during the off-season and the best-of-seven semifinal series against Alaska Milk helped the team in its championship drive.
“The Boston training was a wake-up call for the boys. We realized there that we still have a lot to learn. Si Marlou at Dennis napatakbo noong training,” said Fernandez of his two veterans, among eight Realtors trained by renowned American coach Kevin Barbosa.
“A lot questioned my wisdom to include in the US trip veterans who are about to retire. It turned out my decision was right. Kevin Barbosa was able to get the best from Marlou and Dennis,” said Encarnado.
Curiously, the Realtors lost their first two games in the tourney coming from their US training. Their first loss was dealt by no other than their eventual title playoff rivals.
But the Realtors would get into the groove of things and gain automatic entry into the semis on a stirring ride highlighted by a streak of eight straight wins.
“Actually, I don’t give much importance on the eight-game streak. To me, what’s more important was for us to have survived Alaska Milk in the semis. That Alaska series was character-building that helped prepare us in the finals. I don’t think we can make it all the way without going through Alaska,” said Encarnado.
The Realtors went through a total of 32 games to win the top prize in the tourney.