THE KFC-Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup has reached the pivotal peak of the best-of-seven semifinals series.

Two teams are already halfway to the championship round?the Alaska Aces and the Talk N Text Tropang Texters?but their rivals are not about to throw in the white towel. Not this time.

The Sta. Lucia Realtors fought back and bounced back strong on the verge of possible elimination in Game 3 as they hacked out a morale-boosting 76-65 triumph to stay in the hunt for their ambitious title-retention bid.

No team since Great Taste has defended an All-Filipino crown in 24 years and the embattled Realtors showed the Aces their championship poise and issued a statement that the series is definitely far from over.

The phrase ?defense did it? was possibly the most overused phrase among coaches today, but for Boyet Fernandez, it?s the best way to describe a hardworking Realtors squad in Game 3 as they outworked the usually defense oriented Aces squad.

Bitoy Omolon was a monster on both ends of the court, Kelly Williams provided the energy and the Realtors? shock troopers stepped up big to outplay the Aces.

The match between two of the most explosive teams?the Tropang Texters and the Beermen?was indeed a stark contrast from the other semis pair. Both teams love to engage one another in a shootout as shown by Talk N Text?s 110-106 win over the short-handed San Miguel quintet.

The win didn?t come easy as expected. Despite missing the services of Dorian Pe?a and having several guys playing hurt, the Tropang Texters couldn?t put away the equally determined Beermen easily. Rey Joble