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Wednesday, September 06, 2006
Barakos hold off TNT, 101-91
The Red Bull Barakos may be launching their campaign this season with the same set of warriors that earned two finals appearance last year but it looks like they’re still good for another title run.
Reserves Leo Najorda and Paolo Bugia provided the finishing touches as the Barakos held off the Talk ’N Text Phone Pals, 101-91, last night in the PBA Pre-Season mini tournament at the JSCGO gym.
The Barakos turned the game around in the final three minutes with excellent teamwork and tough defense, limiting the Phone Pals to just two points in that stretch.
Improvements
“I think we’re still a contender,” said Red Bull coach Yeng Guiao of his team, the reigning Fiesta Conference champion and runner-up to Purefoods in the Philippine Cup.
“But still, we have to work on a lot of areas to be able to contend with Ginebra. I think Ginebra is the team to beat this season because of its depth and size and San Miguel could be a surprise treat if LA Tenorio blends well with the team quickly,’ Guiao observes.
Among other things, Guiao said the Barakos have to improve on their rebounding. The Phone Pals dominated the Barakos in the battle of the boards, 51-45.
Cyrus Baguio scored 18 points to show the way for the Barakos. Najorda scored 17 points and had nine rebounds, while Bugia added 14 and seven boards as the two made things happen when Red Bull needed a push.
Najorda and Bugia scored all but three of Red Bull’s last 15 points.
The victory tied Red Bull with Coca-Cola in Group A, while dealing TNT its first loss in two starts.
TNT coach Derrick Pumaren continued to rest his three stars—Asi Taulava, Jimmy Alapag and Don Allado—and delegated the fight to reserves MacMac Cardona, Felix Belano and Anthony Washinton. (PBA media bureau)
The Phone Pals appeared to have the game in control after scoring the first six points of the fourth for a 78-73 lead.
TNT still held an 86-80 lead midway of the fourth when Pumaren opted fielded six rookie free agents—Robert Sanz, Jerome Paterno, Ferdinand Daa, Richard Alonzo, Jonathan Aldave and Richard Hardine—who are fighting for the lone vacant spot.
Although the six tryouts played with a lot of energy and passion, the pressure of the game appeared too much for them to handle.
Daa scored 16 points and Belano added 13 for the Phone Pals.
Meanwhile, Sta. Lucia’s Cesar Catli and Kenneth Duremdes and TNT’s Cardona has been summoned to appear before PBA Commissioner Noli Eala at this morning to explain their side of the untoward incident that nearly marred their game Monday.
The game, won by the Phone Pals, 93-84, turned ugly in the closing minutes when Catli and Cardona traded blows. Both were ejected from the game.
Red Bull (101)—Baguio 18, Najorda 17, Bugua 14, Tugade 10, Robinson 9, Villanueva 8, Sharma 7, Hrabak 5, Cruz 4, Membrere 2, Valenzuela 2, Ibanez 1, Pennisi 0, Rodriguez 0. TNT (91)—-Daa 16, Belano 13, Washington 12, Cardona 10, Sanz 10, Andaya 9, Aldave 9, Alonzo 4, Hardine, Paterno 4 4.
Quarters: 28-29; 48-41; 73-72; 101-91.
For Bisaya stories from Cebu. Click here. (September 6, 2006 issue)
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