The 1997 Sta. Lucia Realtors season was the 5th season of the franchise in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA).
Draft picks Round Pick Player College13 Jason Webb De La Salle16 Gabby Cui Ateneo de Manila18 Angelo David FEU
Notable dates July 22: Sta. Lucia advanced to the Commissioners Cup semifinals with a 100-92 overtime victory over Purefoods Cowboys. Kenny Redfield, the two-time best import who led Shell to the finals in the previous season, and playing with his fourth team with the Realtors, scored his 27th triple-double performance of 34 points, 18 rebounds and 12 assists. With the victory, Sta. Lucia were tied on top of the standings with three other teams, San Miguel, Shell and Gordon's Gin, with six wins and four losses.
September 28: Import Sean Green carried the Realtors with his team-high 35 points as Sta. Lucia scored their third straight victory and a solo lead in the Governors Cup with a 111-90 rout off Pop Cola.
Occurrences After a four-year coaching stint with the Purefoods ballclub, coach Chot Reyes accepted the offer of Sta. Lucia as their new head coach at the beginning of the season.
During the Governors Cup, a few days after Sta. Lucia lost to Alaska by one point on October 28, coach Chot Reyes resigned and gave up his position to assistant coach Adonis Tierra, who would handle the Realtors on an interim basis. It was reported that Reyes' temperament had lost him his job at Sta. Lucia, and the players' boycott against their coach led to his departure.
Roster
Transactions Trades Off-seasonTo Alaska Boyet FernandezTo Sta. Lucia Gilbert Reyes, Jr
Additions Player Signed Former team Boy Cabahug Off-season Mobiline
Recruited imports TournamentNameNumberPositionUniversity/collegeDurationCommissioner's CupKenny Redfield 23 ForwardMichigan State June 15 to August 26Governors' CupSean Green 7 Guard-forwardIona College September 21 to December 5
References