KENT Salado stripped the ball away from McJour Luib and scored an unmolested layup with 14.3 seconds left as Sta. Lucia Realty defeated Euro-Med, 66-64, on Sunday in the PCBL Chairman’s Cup opener at the Malolos Sports and Convention Center.
On Euro-Med’s last possession, Salado once again stole the ball to end the game. Salado had also intercepted a pass to score a lay-up with 43.5 seconds to play to give Sta. Lucia a 64-62 lead, but Euro-Med import Ola Adeogun tied the count in the next possession.
Salado, who played a game for Arellano earlier in the day in the Fr. Martin Cup, only finished with six points but the three steals gave the Realtors a big boost.
“Medyo pagod na rin ’yung bata kasi naglaro pa ’yan sa Fr. Martin kaya hindi ko inistrat. Pero knowing ‘yung talent ng bata, marami,” said Sta. Lucia coach Bonnie Garcia.
Jun Gabriel had 14 points and seven rebounds, while JR Cawaling had 10 points. Former Southwestern University import Landry Sanjo chipped in 10 points and nine rebounds for the Realtors.
Jopher Custodio and Adeogun added 15 points for Euro-Med.
The scores:
Sta. Lucia 66 — Gabriel 14, Cawaling 10, Sanjo 10, Salado 6, Ilagan 6, Escosio 6, Bautista 5, Vidal 5, Bangga 4, Koga 0, Dela Cruz 0.
Euro-Med 64 — Custodio 15, Adeogun 15, Salcedo 8, Raymundo 6, Almario 6, Sollano 5, Galanza 4, Tajonera 3, Vigil 2, Luib 0, Saitanan 0, Quinto 0, Gil 0.
Quarterscores: 12-13; 35-33; 55-50; 66-64.