Saturday, January 20, 2007 Barakos gore SLR, 114-96, in Game 3
JUDGING from yes-terday’s performance, Red Bull head coach Yeng Guiao feels his troops have regained their deadly form.
Obviously, nobody would dare dispute Guiao’s claim especially with the way things are shaping up in the quarterfinal series of the Talk ‘N Text PBA-Philippine Cup between the Barakos and the Sta. Lucia Realtors.
With Enrico Villanueva playing the lead role with passion and Red Bull’s bench providing tremendous support, the Barakos dealt the Realtors a 114-96 stunner in Game 3 at the Yńares Center in Antipolo City.
“We are improving each game. We played terrible in Game 1 but improved a little bit in the next game. But this (third) game I think is our best,” Guiao said. “We were able to improve on our defensive adjustments but more importantly we managed to keep the pace a little faster and sustain it.”
Guiao also thinks having played so many consecutive games is beginning to take its toll on the Realtors.
“I think it’s only now that Sta. Lucia is feeling the long season of playing consecutive games,” Guiao said.
The Realtors, who reached this level as wildcard survivor, has played more games than any team this conference with 26 games, tying the most in a conference for the franchise. They have also played in every playdate this 2007.
Villanueva, who was hardly a factor in Games 1 and 2, had a big game Friday night, scoring 20 points and matched up well against Sta. Lucia big men Marlou Aquino and Dennis Espino.
His inspired play was largely due to the terrific help he got from his teammates, seven of whom finished with at least eight points led by the 16 of Junthy Valenzuela.
Overall, Red Bull’s bench outscored Sta. Lucia’s second unit, 60-41.
Unlike the first two games of the series, the Barakos were in complete control of Game 3, virtually leading right from the start and never gave the Realtors even a slight chance to turn the game around.
And they successfully did it with a standout defense that forced the Realtors to commit 25 turnovers that translated to 20 big points.
After leveling the series with their 100-98 Game 2 win last Wednesday, Guiao said then he was looking forward to a long series. But now that his team is holding on a 2-1 lead, he said in the post-game conference they will try to cash in tomorrow.(PBA Media Bureau)
