Sta. Lucia Realty drew first blood in the best-of-three quarterfinal series after posting a hard-earned win Sunday night in the 2008-09 Motolite-PBA Fiesta Conference at the Araneta Coliseum.

Sta. Lucia scored 93 against 84 for Burger King.

Anthony Johnson made 22 points, 24 rebounds and five blocks to again dish out an incredible performance to help his team erect a 1-0 lead in the series.

““AJ (Johnson) kept on fighting. In the second quarter, I tried to pull him out because his groin is hurting and I do appreciate his effort tonight,” said Sta. Lucia head coach Boyet Fernandez, who also got 17 markers from Norman Gonzales off the bench.

Johnson, who made 42 points and had 24 rebounds in their 96-90 win over Coca-Cola last Friday for the quarterfinal seat, had 13 of his total output in the final canto, enough to douse the rally of the Whopper.

Despite the win, Fernandez said he is still cautious of a Burger King comeback on Wednesday.

“We just won one game. We’re happy to get this one but its back to the drawing board for us. I have high respect for coach Yeng (Guiao) and I know he’ll prepare for us and we’ll just have to be ready,” Fernandez added.

With MVP Kelly Williams still sidelined by an injury, the Realtors again banked on a total team effort to survive Burger King’s repeated rallies in the final canto. Should they win Game 2 they will meet No. 1 seed San Miguel Beer in the best-of-seven semifinal series.

After the Whopper sliced Sta. Lucia’s eight-point half time lead to 63-67 entering the final period, Johnson and company tried to break the game wide open with a 13-7 exchange capped by Johnson’s slam for a commanding 80-69 lead with 7:37 remaining.

Burger King responded however with an 11-4 run to threaten at 80-84 before Johnson converted two free throws off the flagrant foul penalty one on Beau Belga and SLR team captain Dennis Espinso hit a 15-foot jumper to give the Realtors some breathing space, 88-80, 2:21 left in the game.

The Whoppers threatened anew after Wynnie Arboleda and Gary David hit free throws to trim the lead to 84-88 with less than two minutes remaining.

David and Shawn Daniels missed their jumpers however and Johnson and Gonzales sealed the win for Sta. Lucia with combined three free throws, 91-84, 1:09 left.

Daniels finished with 22 points and 20 rebounds for the Whopper, his 12th double-double game for the Bert Lina franchise.

Rain or Shine beats Purefoods

In the second game, Rain or Shine almost blew a 20-point lead before hanging on for a 97-87 win over Purefoods Tender Juicy to take a 1-0 lead in their quarterfinal series.

Jai Lewis and Mark Isip provided crucial baskets down the stretch to thwart the uprising of the Giants and take the series opener for the franchise’s first playoff victory.

“We just need one more big game on Wednesday,” said Elasto Painters head coach Caloy Garcia. “But Purefoods is very unpredictable team. They will come out with a different attitude next game.”

Lewis finished with 26 points and 17 rebounds while Rob Wainwright added 18 for Rain or Shine, which is now a win away of reaching the semis for the first time in its franchise history.

Marquin Chandler led all scorers with 34 points and was the only Purefoods player in double figures. James Yap and Kerby Raymundo was 0-fo-13 combined from the field.

Chandler’s hot shooting in the fourth shoved the Giants within six, 82-88, but Lewis hit an undergoal stab and Isip beat the shot clock with a jumper to put the lead back to 92-82, under two minutes left in the game.