RED BULL WALLOPS COCA-COLA

Barakos’ guns finally find their mark
Monday, 24 September 2007
Philippine Basketball Association website

Red Bull finally showed its old fighting form in the 2007 PBA Pre-Season Tourney, breaking into the win-column with a 125-98 rout of Coca-Cola at the Rizal Technological University gym Monday.

The Barakos pounded and pummeled the Tigers in a match marred by a near fight between Carlo Sharma and Ricky Calimag, the awarding of four technical fouls and the eventual ejection of Sharma.

Red Bull coach Yeng Guiao also drew a technical on the incident in the third quarter. The Barakos blew cold at the resumption of play but sizzled again in the fourth quarter, chalking up their first win in the pre-season event.

The Barakos dropped their exhibition game versus the KT&G team of Korea, then bowed to the Sta. Lucia Realtors and the San Miguel Beermen.

The Tigers lost all five matches, including one against the guest Korean squad.

Cyrus Baguio, Mick Pennisi, Leo Najorda, Mike Hrabak and Magnum Membrere each scored at least 14 for Red Bull while rookie Ronjay Buenafe and Chester Tolomia paced Coca-Cola with 16 and 15 points, respectively.

The Barakos came out smoking, firing six treys in starting the game with a 23-16 run.

They closed the opening period at 42-26 and kept the searing pace to take the half at 73-44.

Then Sharma and Calimag had their altercation, temporarily halting the game that seemed to cool off the Barakos.

The Tigers, led by Buenafe and Kenneth Duremdes, made their move in the third quarter, narrowing the gap to 13 at 81-94.

Settling for a 96-82 lead at the end of the third, Red Bull blew hot again at the start of the payoff period, pulling away for good at 108-83 on a 12-1 assault.

The Barakos went on to pad their lead to as big as 30 at 118-88. (NC)

The scores:

Red Bull 125 -- Baguio 20, Pennisi 19,Najorda 15, Hrabak 14, Membrere 14, Sharma 9, Camaso 8, Robinson 7, Adriano 6, Cruz 6, Andaya 4, Duncil 3.
Coca-Cola 98 -- Buenafe 16, Tolomia 15, Duremdes 11, Isip 10, Cabagnot 10, Telan 9, Caceres 7, Misolas 6, Gavino 6, Echavez 5, Enrile 4.
Quarterscores: 42-26, 73-44, 96-82, 125-98.