The Kings, the Fiesta Cup winners, showed up the Realtors in an exciting duel of champions, coming from behind to win the game despite a lineup sans injured key players Mark Caguioa, Junthy Valenzuela, Rafi Reavis and Billy Mamaril.
Jayjay Helterbrand, the Best Player in the recent import-reinforced tourney, led the way for the Kings as he made 21 of his 26 points in the final half.
The spitfirish guard scattered 12 in the third fueling a mighty charge that got the Kings into the game after trailing by 10 points, 35-45, at the half.
Junjun Cabatu, Paul Artadi and Sunday Salvacion put in their shares at the finish as Ginebra completed the stirring come-from-behind victory to get a share of early league leadership with Talk n Text, Rain or Shine, Alaska and Purefoods.
"Sta. Lucia dominated the game and we just got the lead at the right time," said Ginebra coach Jong Uichico, trying to downplay the impact of their victory.
"But of course we wanted to win our first game to get our confidence high while setting out in this tourney minus four key players," Uichico added. "We want to be as consistent as possible until our lineup gets completed."
The Kings overcame a faltering start as they capitalized on crucial errors by the Realtors at endgame.
Back-to-back errors by Dennis Espino had the Kings scoring four free throws on their offensive end to take an 87-81 lead with 34 seconds to go.
The Realtors still closed in at 86-88 on a five-point binge by Paolo Mendoza coming off the bench.
After Salvacion made it 89-86 on a split from the stripe, the Realtors eventually lost the contest with Kelly Williams fumbling a long Sta. Lucia throw-in while looking for a possible quick three-pointer.
Paul Artadi went 2-of-3 from beyond the arc, 4-of-6 from the two-point zone and 4-of-4 from the free-throw line to match his career-high 18 points.
"Meron pang hangover nung Fiesta Conference finals. Mataas pa rin ang kumpiyansa ko," said Artadi, picking up the slack on the ouster of Helterbrand in Game Two of the recent finale against the Air21 Express.
Kelly Williams and Ryan Reyes, the MVP winner and Rookie of the Year awardee last campaign, combined for 33 points, 26 rebounds, four assists and three steals for the Realtors.
The Sta. Lucia starters outclassed their Ginebra counterparts in the first half, delivering the bulk of the numbers as the Realtors took a 45-35 lead at turn.
Dennis Espino and Reyes led the way for the team with the former scoring 12 points and the latter producing eight points, eight rebounds and three steals.
Denok Mendoza was scoreless but quarterbacked well a running game giving Sta. Lucia a 9-2 edge in fastbreak points. (NC)
The scores:
Ginebra 89 -- Helterbrand 26, Artadi 18, Salvacion 14, Cabatu 8, Pacana 6, Holper 6, Menk 4, Tubid 3, Wilson 2, Crisano 2, Aquino 0, Escalona 0.
Sta. Lucia 86 -- Reyes 17, Williams 16, Espino 16, Omolon 8, Coronel 6, Gonzales 6, Mendoza 5, Miranda 4, Yeo 3, Aquino 3, Daa 2, Gregorio 0.
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