Sta Lucia Realtors 10 Greatest Players

Sta Lucia Realtors must be one of the greatest team in PBA the will missed forever. As a PBA fans of many teams, this one of the team I've proud of. It's because of their 3 legendary players that my generations witnessed, namely Espino, Aquion and Duremdes. These 3 players were competing in their prime until they reinforce themselves in one team. 

 A little bit of history, the team started struggling during Jun Limpot's era, having their twin towers with Espino is really a pain to watch, like how they still losing and always ending up at the 3rd place having two great talented 2 big men. Not until the arrival of Marlou Aquino and Paolo Mendoza in the team with Norman Back as their coach, finally in 2000 they have grabbed their first ever championship after staying for so many years in the league, and this continue with their last championship in 2007 with emergence of two Fil-Ams Kelly Williams and Ryan Reyes.

:::Here are the list of Sta Lucia 10 Greatest Players of All Time:::

10. Richard Del Rosario (???) / Gerry Esplana (???)

In #10 it's a tie for Richard Del Rosario who is currently coaching staff of successful team SMC Mixers and Gerry Esplana the Mr.Cool of his time. They must not be in the list for the many but this guys deserves in the list. Esplana was nobody and under appreciated PG in his time, mainly because there are a lot of famous guards like Bal David , Magsanoc and Abbarientos but for him, he has exception. He plays like cool with no pressure on playing in crucial time. While Chard Del Rosario is a promising rule playing Forward, he doesn't score that much but his annoying defense gives a pain to his opponent

9. Chris Tan (???)

Who won't forget his buzzer beater and some game winning shots during the struggles of the franchise. His defense and offense + Ball IQ is a contribution to this team.

8. Ryan Reyes (2007–2010)

Should be in the higher top but for the benefits of the other players, he's in #8. Winning the Rookie of the year and being part of the championship team, it's no brainer he's considered as one of the greatest player of Sta Lucia ever had.

7. Paolo Mendoza(2000-2010)

He started his pro league with a big expectation because of his big credential and his famous ex-PBA dad but nevertheless he didn't dissapoints that expectation. In his Rookie year he got his first ring with the team and staying with the team until it disbanded.

6 Kenneth Duremdes (2003-2007)

Who won't put Captain Marbel in the list? though he didn't win any ring with the team but he contributed and give all his best for the team. At his age, he shown to the league that he can still compete with young legs, being 2nd scorer of the team despite of the age

5. Nelbert Omolon (2004-2010)

He arrived in the team as a role players but he shown his worth buy striving for greatness. He gain his respect after showing in the league he's worth, one of the promising and talented big man of the franchise ever had.

4. Jun Limpot (1993-1999)

They called him The Money Man, he started the league straight from his Collegiate days and wins the Rookie of the year. He's been marked by the team as the heart-and-soul , talented ,versatile and extra ordinary big man, No wonder the team kept him for so long and refuses to trade him until they got a better offer to trade him for Marlou Aquino. After the block buster trade, the team won their first ever championship.

3. Kelly Williams (2006-2010)

The team targeted him for so long time and they're successful to bringing him in the league. In his arrival he didn't win the championship not until he got a help and his team motivated to win in the 2nd year. Because of Espino and Aquino are getting off in their games, he step up and carry his team and been their go-to guy until the team step down

2. Marlou Aquino (2000-20010)

Many people has under appreciated the sky scraper, they says he's the biggest dissapointment in the team. Actually, if you follow the Sta Lucia history, it's only after he joined the team that the team gone to better competition. He might have some slackness but you can not teach HEIGHT, as the tallest guy in the team, he dominates the boards and the blocks, and that's all even in his old age. As a legit center , he made Dennis Espino in his better spot and synthesize his talents , on top of that, that's been the key of the Sta Lucia on winning all their championships.

1. Dennis Espino (1995-2009)

It's obvious and everyone will agree, that he's the GREATEST player in all franchise history. Being the oldest player in the team and even he's on-and-off because of injury, all still respect to him. Sta Lucia won't be in the radar not because of him. Drafted in first overall pick despite of big rivalry in the drafts like Duremdes and Cariaso, but because of his height and playing like smooth Power Forward that's giving him the edge to be on the top. With his height with versatile and smooth post up moves, he dominates all his defenders even in the face of big imports.  He's been part of  the franchise two championships and a lot of Runner Ups.