Valenzuela clinched the win on an offensive rebound off his own missed three-point shot with only six seconds left and the Kings enjoying a 90-87 lead.

Earlier, he banged away a trey coming off the bench, sparking a decisive 12-to-nothing run that pushed the Kings ahead at 84-74.

Then after the Realtors came within four at 81-85, Valenzuela rifled in another trifecta, easing the pressure for the Kings with 57 seconds left.

The Realtors, however, still refused to give up, threatening for the last time at 87-90 on back-to-back three-pointers by Kelly Williams.

Then came the most crucial sequence in the night – Valenzuela misfiring another three-point attempt, but getting the offensive rebound himself, thus dashing Sta. Lucia’s hopes to salvage the game.

Valenzuela’s endgame heroics preserved Mark Caguioa’s 30-point showing and Chris Alexander’s double-double game of 19 points and 15 rebounds.

Kelly Williams and Lee Benson had their own double-double games that went to naught.

Williams, the leading MVP contender, logged 24 points and 13 rebounds with 13 markers coming in the final period.

Benson and Nelbert Omolon spearheaded Sta. Lucia’s attack in the early goings, enabling the Realtors to take control from the opening tip to the third quarter.

The Kings scored 10 of the first 12 points in the final period to seize the lead for the first time at 72-68.

"It was a grind. We had to work for our points and work on defense. We have to play better Wednesday if we want this series over with," said Uichico. (NC)

The scores:

Ginebra 92 – Caguioa 30, Alexander 19, Artadi 11, Helterbrand 11, Mamaril 8, Valenzuela 8, Salvacion 5, Pacana 0, Wilson 0, Menk 0.

Sta. Lucia 90 – Williams 24, Benson 23, Omolon 17, Reyes 9, Yeo 9, Aquino 4, Miranda 2, Espino 2, Mendoza 0.

Quarterscores: 14-24, 37-42, 62-66, 92-90.