THE NINE-YEAR ITCH is over for Sta. Lucia Realty, scratched away by team owners who never lost faith, a team manager who wouldn't let go of a dream, a diverse group of coaches who came together for a most important mission, and a motley crew of veteran and sophomore players who took on the biggest challenge of their lives for a chance to be called Philippine Basketball Association champions.
And when the dying-second three-point heave of San Miguel Beer forward Danny Seigle hit the back iron to preserve Chris Tan's heroic three-point shot 3.3 seconds earlier, giving the Realtors a nerve-fraying 75-72 victory in Game 6 of the Governors' Cup Finals last Sunday, it was as if a miracle took place right there at mid-court of the Araneta Coliseum.
As confetti rained down and multi-colored balloons fell from the catwalk, Realtors coach Norman Black had his first victory lift in seven years and team manager Buddy Encarnado finally had his for as long as he remembered.
Up in the stands, team owner Exequiel Robles looked as if he was going to faint in jubilation, shooter Michael Orquillas scaled the rim to remove the net, down on the floor players and coaches were hugging each other, and everywhere Sta. Lucia fans couldn't stop celebrating.
The scene took nine years to bring to life and didn't materialize until the final shot of the best-of-seven championship series was taken.
"Men on a mission," Black described his players.
"Couldn't believe he took that shot," was his reaction to Tan's three-pointer.
While Black wrapped huge arms around anybody within hugging distance, including his close friend and consultant Alfrancis Chua, the Realtors coach reserved the tighest wrestle for his stepson - Chris Tan.
"As you all know Chris has been with me since he was six and I couldn't be happier for him. What guts!" gushed Black, who whispered something in Tan's ears as they swayed in an unbreakable lock in the middle of the throng.
Damian Owens would have taken that shot. And surely Paolo Mendoza, Felix Belano, Gerard Francisco, Dennis Espino and even Marlou Aquino.
But it was Tan's fate to be destiny's child.
With the Realtors' shot clock winding down to the last couple of seconds and Owens unable to extricate himself from Lamont Strothers' iron grip, Tan shunned Owens and faced the basket.
The Manila Bulletin (December 19, 2001)