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Photo Credit: PBA.ph

San Miguel Beer didn’t found a solution as to how to stop a sneaky ninja in Joseph Yeo as Sta. Lucia Realty dealt San Miguel Beer its second straight loss, 100-95.

Despite playing without its two key players in reigning MVP Kelly WIlliams and ROY Ryan Reyes, Sta. Lucia Realty played an inspired ballgame lead by second stringers Joseph Yeo and Norman Gonzales who both got their new career highs.

San Miguel Beer, on the other hand, can’t seem to get its rhythm going. What propelled them in their previous won games which are its outside shooting and transition offense were all defended well. As a result, San Miguel Beer played catch up almost all game long except in third quarter where they briefly grabbed the lead.

Bleeding to get their points, San Miguel Beer turned to rookie Bonbon Custodio who top scored for San Miguel Beer for 19 points. Dondon Hontiveros had a bad night once again scoring nothing and can’t seem to defend the gunners of Sta. Lucia well who are exploding one after the other.

In a courtside interview of assistant coach Pido Jarencio, he divulged that Marc Pingris was not allowed to play due to a sore achilles heel. His energy in the hardcourt was missed as well as his rebounding when Sta. Lucia grabbed too many offensive rebounds causing us to miss several ball possesions.

More of the game story from the Philippine Basketball Association (pba.ph).

JOSEPH YEO SIZZLES AS STA. LUCIA SCORES
Realtors frustrate Beermen’s bid for share of lead
Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Notwithstanding the absence of two key players, Sta. Lucia Realty played like a champion team that it is versus San Miguel Beer.

Joseph Yeo and Norman Gonzales put in career-high outputs and the short handed Realtors sustained their improbable streak with a 100-95 upset of the Beermen Wednesday night in the KFC PBA Philippine Cup at the Araneta Coliseum.

Yeo and Gonzales dished out MVP-like performances to make up for the absence of reigning MVP winner Kelly Williams and 2007-08 Rookie of the Year awardee Ryan Reyes.

With a big lift from the two second-string players, the Realtors more than held their own against the fancied San Miguel team, notching a third straight win and their sixth in 10 games in all.

"We played not thinking about the pressure. We had nothing to lose, knowing everyone was expecting San Miguel to win," said Joseph Yeo who erupted for 38 points, topping his previous high of 29 made against Talk n Text during the wildcard round in the last Fiesta Conference.

Gonzales was also awesome as he scattered 25 points and completed his first double-double game in two years while also snaring 10 rebounds.

"Joseph and Norman stepped up and their energy rubbed off to their teammates," said Sta. Lucia coach Boyet Fernandez.

The Beermen suffered a second straight defeat but stayed at second behind the front-running Alaska Milk Aces (8-2) with a 7-4 card.

Sta. Lucia closed in on San Miguel as the Realtors avenged their 71-89 blowout by the Beermen in their first meeting last Oct. 30 at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.

They next play the Barangay Ginebra Kings Saturday with Williams and Reyes back in uniform.

"They’re certainly dressing up Saturday. Kelly is likely to be back in action. We’re awaiting a back brace for Ryan. If he’s not yet ready, hindi namin pipilitin," said Fernandez.

With tremendous efforts from Joseph Yeo and Norman Gonzales, the Realtors hardly missed the services of Williams and Reyes in getting even with the Beermen.

The Realtors outhustled and outmaneuvered the Beermen in dominating the contest, enjoying lead as many as 14 at 69-55 at the end of the third quarter.

Joseph Yeo, Norman Gonzales and Paolo Mendoza made at least 10 points each as the Realtors took the half at 42-38.

Mendoza and Gonzales were perfect from the field in the opening quarter which also belonged to the Realtors at 29-24.

Ken Bono came out strong in the second period, making eight points and four rebounds as the Beermen edged the Realtors, 14-13. (NC)

The scores:

Sta. Lucia 100 — Yeo 38, Gonzales 25, Mendoza 14, Omolon 8, Gregorio 7, Aquino 3, Daa 2, Espino 2, Jaime 0, Coronel 0.

San Miguel 95 — Custodio 19, Tugade 15, Washington 14, Villanueva 13, Pena 10, Pennisi 9, Bono 8, Gonzales 7, Eman 0, Racela 0, Calaguio 0, Hontiveros 0.

Quarterscores: 29-24, 42-38, 69-55, 100-95