“We were really prepared to play defense against Ginebra because we were able to scout them (in their first game),” Sta. Lucia coach Boyet Fernandez told reporters later. “Unlike in our first game (which we lost), we failed to scout (Sammy) Monroe and Barako (Coffee), which has a new system under a new coach.”

After a 33-point debut in a 97-90 victory over Talk ‘N Text in the tournament opening last Sunday, Storey was held down to just 13 points and worse, it was only Jay-Jay Helterbrand who finished in twin digits among Ginebra’s locals with 12.

Anthony Johnson was superb for the second straight night for Sta. Lucia after shooting 22 points and pulling down 13 rebounds to lead the Realtors to a 1-1 card, the same slate now being held by the Gin Kings.

“We just had to play defense against Ginebra because they are one of the best teams in transition,” Fernandez added. “We stopped them tonight. We stopped Storey.” Ryan Reyes had 14 points, nine rebounds and five steals and Kelly Williams, after shooting just six points against the Coffee Masters, had 13.

The game was tight after the first three periods and the initial three minutes of the fourth period before the Realtors dropped one spurt after another in a blazing finish that made the game look lopsided.

In the first game, Mac Cardona scored half of his 14 points in a critical fourth quarter stretch as Talk ’N Text held on to deal Rain or Shine a 99-96 defeat, the Tropang Texters’ first win in the season-ending tournament.

The unorthodox Cardona finished a fastbreak, scored on a lay-up on a backdoor play and then drained  a triple before dishing off his only assist of the game to Mark Yee underneath as the Texters broke out of an 86-86 tie for a 97-90 margin with 2:20 left.

Ranidel De Ocampo also had half of his 20 points in the fourth period as the Texters, after a 97-90 loss to Barangay Ginebra in last Sunday’s opening, got back in the groove.

But the win didn’t really put a smile on the face of coach Chot Reyes.

“This is a very disappointing win,” Reyes said. “We gave them (Painters) the chance to come back in the ball game. We have to be able to finish games.” The Painters didn’t just roll over and die after falling behind by seven and they even had a chance to send the game into extra time had Gabe Norwood connected on a triple at the buzzer.

“I’m the only one who should be able to take Ranidel out of the game, not the referees and not by himself” said Reyes in emphasizing the importance of De Ocampo in the system.

“Against Ginebra, when he was called for a Flagrant Foul 1, we were ahead by four, and by the time he came back, we were already down by eight.” Jay-R Reyes scored a personal season-high 23 points and pulled down 14 rebounds, while Jai Lewis collected 17 points and 20 rebounds as four other players scored in double figures for the Painters, who will play once again tomorrow against Sta. Lucia.

Talk ’N Text actually trailed by as many as 60-51, before Jimmy Alapag scored nine points in a 22-4 blast that had the Texters claiming their own biggest lead at 73-64 with 1:02 left in the third period.

Alapag wound up with 19 points and six assists, while Castro, his effective backcourt mate, had 15 points. Burly import Shawn Daniels collected 13 points and 10 rebounds in another quiet yet steady performance for the Texters.

Meanwhile, defending champion San Miguel and Coca-Cola lock horns in Gingoog City Saturday, with both squads seeking follow-up wins to impressive debuts.

The Beermen held off the Air21 Express, 92-87, while the Tigers plastered the Barako Coffee Masters, 97-74.