Saturday, December 22, 2007 Red Bull gores Welcoat Dragons to post 9th win
MANILA - The Red Bull Barakos displayed awesome firepower as they carved a 106-97 win over the Welcoat Dragons last night to post their 9th win in the 2007 Smart-PBA Philippine Cup at the Cuneta Astrodome.
Rookie Jojo Duncil played like a veteran and Cyrus Baguio dominated the final half with his 11 points to prove their mastery over the Dragons and moved closer towards claiming the second automatic semifinal slot.
Second place
“We are trying to solidify our firm hold of second place. This win at least separates us from Alaska and the rest,” said Red Bull coach Yeng Guiao.
The Barakos actually played a well-balanced game as five finished with double digits and 11 players made it to the scoring chart en route to their second triumph over the Dragons this conference. Their first win was 86-75 on Oct. 24.
“We are not yet in the semis. It’s still far because the standing is so closed among several teams. But this win is very important for us because we wanted to remain at the second spot,” said Guiao.
The Dragons, who will continue seeking for a big win to surpass their 3-win output in their maiden season last year, sank further in the standings with a 3-12 card.
“Jojo Duncil played like a veteran and Cyrus Baguio is doing well. It’s good for the team because the result we have a good running game,” said Guiao.
Michael Robinson and Baguio top-scored for the Barakos with 15 points apiece while Junthy Valenzuela scored 13. Duncil and Mike Hrabak got 10 points each.
The 6-foot-7 Fil-Am Joe Devance scored a game-high 23 points and 15 rebounds. He was followed by Nic Belasco with 16 points, 12 rebounds and 7 assists.
Starting strong
The Barakos, who suffered their worst beating in the conference, 78-104, to Sta. Lucia on Dec. 14, started strong as they took an early 15-8 lead behind the sweet shooting of Duncil and Celino Cruz.
Welcoat, trying to end its longest losing streak of 8 games, which tied them with Coca-Cola in the conference, tried to reduce the gap but only to a lone point, 14-15, with still 4:28 remaining in the first period.
But as soon as Mick Pennissi, Cyrus Baguio and Cruz struck with back-to-back baskets, the Barakos widened their lead to its biggest, 42-23, still 6:44 left in the second quarter.
Meanwhile, the Alaska Aces try to part ways from the three-way logjam from the third to the 5 th spot when they collide against Magnolia Beverage today in the last road games of the conference at the Pelaez Sports Center in Cagayan de Oro City.
The Aces, bearing an 8-6 win-loss slate along with Talk ‘N Text and Sta. Lucia, face the Beverage Masters (7-7) at 4:30 p.m.
Coach Tim Cone expressed confidence his wards will pull through against the slumping Beverage Masters, who lost to sister Barangay Ginebra, 100-115, on Dec. 16. (FCC)
