How Sta. Lucia Built Its Last PBA Championship Team: A Complete Timeline (2005–2008)


The Sta. Lucia Realtors’ path to their final PBA championship in the 2007–2008 Philippine Cup is one of the most compelling rebuild stories in league history. From a cellar-dwelling franchise to PBA champions in just two seasons, the team’s journey was built on patience, smart decision-making, and the resilience of a team that refused to stay down.

A Rocky Start: The 2005–2006 Season


(Sta. Lucia Realtor's center Marlou Aquino drives for a shot against Air21's Shawn Daniels)

The 2005–2006 season marked the beginning of Sta. Lucia’s rebuild. Struggling throughout the year, they finished with an overall record of 12-25—the worst in the league. Despite short-lived appearances in the Wildcard rounds of both the Fiesta and Philippine Cups, the team was never truly competitive. However, their last-place finish earned them the number one pick in the upcoming 2006 PBA Draft, giving the franchise a glimmer of hope for a fresh start.

Drafting the Future: The 2006–2007 Season


(Sta. Lucia's 2006 1st Overall Pick Kelly Williams goes for a jumpshot)

With the top pick in the 2006 draft, Sta. Lucia selected Filipino-American forward Kelly Williams out of Oakland University. Williams, a high-flying and athletic forward, would later become the 2008 PBA MVP and a key figure in the team’s title run. The Realtors showed improvement in the Philippine Cup, finishing with a 10-11 record and advancing to the Quarterfinals, where they fell to Red Bull, 3-1.

The Fiesta Conference, however, was less fruitful, as they finished with a 5-13 record and suffered a blowout loss to San Miguel in the knockout round. Despite the on-court struggles, Sta. Lucia's front office made critical moves that would shape their future. A major trade sent Alex Cabagnot, Kenneth Duremdes, and Ricky Calimag away in exchange for a first-round pick, Manny Ramos, and Denok Miranda. Miranda would prove to be a valuable contributor in the seasons to come.

Building a Contender: The 2007–2008 Season

(Left to Right: Ryan Reyes, Joseph Yeo, and Denok Miranda)

The 2007 offseason saw Sta. Lucia continue to retool their roster. The team traded Mark Isip and Cesar Catli to Coca-Cola in exchange for Joseph Yeo, a fiery guard who would become a vital weapon off the bench. They also picked Ryan Reyes, a tenacious defensive guard from Cal State Fullerton, with the third overall pick in the draft. With a mix of youth, energy, and depth, Sta. Lucia quietly assembled a championship-caliber team.

In the Philippine Cup, the team stumbled early with a 4-5 start but found its rhythm in the second half of the conference, winning eight straight games to finish the eliminations with a 12-6 record. As the second seed, they advanced directly to the semifinals, where they met the third-seeded Alaska Aces. The series proved to be a classic, with the teams trading wins until Game 7. Sta. Lucia managed to pull away in the deciding game, earning their first Philippine Cup Finals appearance.


(Kelly Williams and Purefoods Marc Pingris stand at center court for the jump ball)

Their Finals opponent was the powerhouse Purefoods Tender Juicy Giants, led by MVP James Yap, along with All-Stars Kerby Raymundo, Marc Pingris, and PJ Simon. Sta. Lucia came out strong, taking a 2-0 lead in the series, but Purefoods responded with back-to-back wins to tie it. The drama heightened in Games 3 and 4, as both James Yap and Joseph Yeo were ejected and subsequently suspended for Game 5. Without Yap, Sta. Lucia took control with a win to lead 3-2. But Yap returned with a vengeance in Game 6, pouring in 20 fourth-quarter points and, with the help of Pingris’s 21 rebounds, forced a do-or-die Game 7.

The final game was tightly contested through three quarters. Then came the defining moment. Longtime Sta. Lucia veteran Dennis Espino, a steady presence through the team’s highs and lows, stepped up with 10 points during a crucial 13-2 fourth-quarter run that broke the game wide open. With that surge, Sta. Lucia clinched their third—and final—PBA title, capping off a remarkable rebuild.




The Aftermath and End of an Era

Despite Kelly Williams missing the following season due to a heart condition, Sta. Lucia remained competitive. However, during the 2009–2010 season, the team began trading away its core players. The franchise was eventually sold to the Manila Electric Company (Meralco), marking the end of Sta. Lucia’s 17-year tenure in the PBA.


Legacy of the 2007–2008 Sta. Lucia Championship Team

Sta. Lucia’s championship story is a powerful reminder that greatness can emerge from struggle. Their journey from bottom dwellers to champions in just two years was made possible through wise draft decisions, bold trades, and the unshakeable belief in a long-term vision. The combination of Kelly Williams’s MVP-level play, Ryan Reyes’s defensive grit, Joseph Yeo’s scoring, Denok Miranda’s clutch contributions, and Dennis Espino’s veteran leadership created a balanced and formidable team that earned their place in PBA history.

Why This Team Still Matters

Even years later, the Sta. Lucia Realtors’ final championship run remains one of the best examples of a team rebuilt the right way. It showed that with smart planning and commitment, any franchise—regardless of its past performance—can rise to the top. Their success continues to inspire basketball fans and serves as a benchmark for how struggling teams can turn things around.





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