Realtors Gain Share of the Lead

The previously unbeaten LG Sakers of South Korea realized that the three-point area was under the control of the Sta. Lucia Realtors early in the first half and failed to make the necessary adjustment. The Sakers suffered their first setback in the tourney in a 75-66 loss to the Realtors.

The Realtors’ Paolo Mendoza and Anthony Johnson both had 5 field goals each from the three point range to finish with 17 and 35 points respectively and put the team closer to the semis. Johnson also finished with the game with 14 rebounds.

With the win, the realtors are tied with the Sakers and the Singapore Slingers with 2 wins and 1 loss. The Realtors can gain an outright slot in the knockout semis if they win against the Harbour Centre RP team.

The Realtors started strong and never looked back. The Sakers tried to make an early run in the second half and managed to trim the lead to just 8 points, but the Realtors just kept their composure and made some crucial plays. Mendoza easily found his range and continued pouring shots from the outside to diffuse the comeback.

Cho Sang Hyun, the top 3-point shooter of the Sakers, finished with only 4 points and never scored a single 3-point shot. The Realtors’s defense allowed the Sakers to only make 6 3-point field goals, while they made 11 from that area. The pesky defense of the Realtors also limited the production of the Sakers import players, Calvin Warner and Odartey Blankson. Both imports combined for 53 points against the Harbour Centre RP Team, but can only manage 16 points between them in the game.

Top scorers:

Sta Lucia Realtors: Anthony Johnson 35 points, Paolo Mendoza 17
LG Sakers: Lee Hyun Min 14 points, Calvin Warner 10 points, Park Jihyon 10 points.

UPDATE: Sta. Lucia Realtors won against Harbour Centre RP team, 79-71, in their game yesterday. The Realtors are now assured of a slot in the knockout semis.