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Mick
Pennisi sparkled with a new career-high 29 points and
Mike Hrabak shot five-for-five from three-point range as
the Red Bull Barakos exacted revenge against the
Coca-Cola Tigers, 116-99, last night at the Cuneta
Astrodome.
The Barakos quelled Coke’s fiery charge
in the third quarter with a 10-0 run late in the period
on the way to snapping a two-game slump and keep their
flickering hope for an outright semifinal berth alive.
“I think this win guaranteed our place
in the quarters. But I think our chances of making it
outright to the semis look dim,” offered Red Bull coach
Yeng Guiao.
“This win means so much to us. We’ve
loss two in a row and we’re struggling at this point. So
this win somewhat bring back our confidence.”
Red Bull’s 10th win in 17 games tied
them with
Alaska
at third spot, just one-and-a-half games behind second
ranked Sta. Lucia (11-6). The three teams are disputing
the last outright semifinal berth in the 2007-08
Smart-Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup.
Purefoods has secured its place in the
Final Four with a 12-4 record. Interestingly, the
Giants’ last two games in the eliminations are against
Alaska and Red Bull.
The Barakos will have to win their last
assignment and hope both Alaska and Sta. Lucia lose
their last games to earn a playoff for the last coveted
spot. Should either the Aces or the Realtors win, Red
Bull’s aspiration for a free passage into the semifinals
goes down the drain.
“We’ll be playing Purefoods next
Wednesday so by that time we know what’s in store for
us,” Guiao said.
The Tigers, who trailed by as many as 15
points in the opening quarter and 58-72 four minutes
into the third, pulled within 71-76 three minutes later
as Mark Telan, Alex Cabagnot and Cesar Catli each
knocked a three-pointer during a 13-4 assault.
But Pennisi answered with his own trey
then sank three free throws to spark a 10-0 run that
brought Red Bull’s lead back to double digits.
“I just got lucky tonight. They kept me
open so I just keep shooting,” said Pennisi, who also
went five-of-eight from the three-point range to lead
three other starters in double digits.
Junthy Valenzuela scored 22 points,
Cyrus Baguio had 21 and Hrabak added 17 for the Barakos,
who shot 55 percent from the field. Red Bull was also
impressive from the line with 30-of-38.
The Tigers dealt the Barakos a 98-92
decision in their first meeting on December 5 but last
night, Coke couldn’t keep up with Red Bull largely
because the Tigers struggled from the foul line. Coke
made just 29-of-44 free-throw attempts.
Asi Taulava scored 24 points, Cabagnot
had 17 and Catli and Telan added 11 apiece for Coke
which picked up its 11th loss in 17 games. The result
hardly mattered for the Tigers, who are relegated to the
wild card. |
