Wednesday, May 07, 2008 Barakos, Realtors in Fiesta war today
Manila—The Red Bull Barakos stake their share of the lead when they face equally tough Sta. Lucia Realty today in the resumption of the 2008 PBA Fiesta Conference at the Araneta Coliseum.
This will be the first meeting between two teams that figured in the semifinal round of the Philippine Cup last February and the Barakos will suit up toting a 5-2 card.
A win by the Barakos will enable them to regain the solo leadership, while the Realtors will drop to a share of second with idle Magnolia Beverage, which has a 4-3 slate.
But unlike in the last conference, coach Yeng Guiao’s team has lost two key men in Larry Fonacier and Junthy Valenzuela who was traded to Ginebra last April 14 in exchange of their 2009 2nd round and 2010 draft picks.
However, Red Bull had one of the best import in Adam Parada, who is the conference’ top rebounder with an average of 15.9 a game and 8th in scoring with 22 points.
Coming from a 102-95 loss to Magnolia last Saturday in Lipa City, the Barakos will collide against the Realtors in the first match at 4:50 p.m.
Barangay Ginebra, on the other hand, seeks for its second straight win when it meets Air21 in the second game at 7:20 p.m.
The setback by the Barakos to Magnolia at least snapped a 3-game winning streak by that folied its bid to become the 1st team in the conference to win four straight games.
And Guiao wants the Barakos to regain the momentum in an effort to get back on top of the standing, a fate that may improve the confidence of the Barakos, who are seeking for their fourth title in the league. (Frank Calapre)
