I've heard that mac laptops are built to take a spill on the keyboard. I had beer spilled all over my iBook keyboard, and also had to dry it off, and use a hair-dryer, etc. Like yours, my iBook still worked perfectly except for sticky keys, especially the spacebar. But this went away after awhile, and from normal usage.
This is DEFINITELY NOT TRUE. Please, everyone reading this, do not for a minute think that a Mac (or any notebook) can take a direct spill and survive. Regardless if there is some sort of protection for the keyboard being able to take a spill (which there ISN'T), there are multiple openings all over the cases of a MacBook Pro. Liquid as many portals of entry, and it will destroy your notbook if enough liquid gets through.
I destroyed my old PowerBook G4 when I accidentally spilled a mixed drink on it. I turned off the computer immediately, but it did not matter, because the liquid will instantly fry the innards.
Good luck to the OP getting your Mac to survive this. But I wouldn't count on it.