MANILA—The Red Bull Barakos proved their mastery over the Welcoat Dragons as they hacked out a 103-90 win yesterday to move just a game away from clinching a playoff for the second automatic semifinal slot in the 2008 Smart-PBA Fiesta Conference at the Araneta Coliseum.
The 7-foot Mexican import Adam Parada led the Barakos’ onslaught from start to finish to avoid the much-feared spoiler role being hatched by the Dragons to post their 10th win in 16 matches.
With the win, Red Bull remains one of only two teams which the Dragons have never beaten since joining the professional league two years ago. The other is Sta. Lucia Realty.
Thus, Red Bull needs only to win one of their two remaining games to at least assure themselves of a semifinal playoff. They will play Talk ‘N Text on July 5 and Sta. Lucia on July 6.
Aside from Air 21, which was still playing Magnolia at press time, other teams in contention for the two automatic semis berths are defending titlist Alaska (8-7) and Coca-Cola, which is bearing a 9-7 card.
Coach Yeng Guiao, who expressed elation over their second win over the Dragons, however, cautioned his wards not to relax, saying it’s still a long way to go before the
reinforced conference ends the double round elimination phase.
Red Bull defeated Welcoat, 109-88, in their first encounter on May 14.
Parada, a consistent member of the Mexican national team, top-scored for the Barakos with 26 points on top of 14 rebounds and three block shots, while Celino Cruz finished with 14 and Leo Najorda had 11.
Spark
The 6-foot-7 Fil-Am Joe Devance led Welcoat with 21 points, while the 6-foot-8 import Marquis Gainous settled with 20 and Jay-Arr Reyes had 16.
No less than the 7-foot import Adam Parada, who provided the needed spark by firing eight points in the opening quarter, while Mike Hrabak added two triples.
Even the seldom-used Magnum Membrere joined the scoring fray by connecting a trey to post the Barakos’ biggest lead, 41-23, still 4:53 remaining in the second quarter.
Cruz and Najorda scored a triple each to protect the 16-point lead, 53-37, at the end of the half. (FCC)
