INQUIRER Sports

GAMES WEDNESDAY (Ynares Center, Antipolo)
4:50 p.m.—Alaska sta. lucia
7:20 p.m.—Talk ‘N Text vs Purefoods

MANILA, Philippines—Coach Yeng Guiao, for once, simply didn’t know what to say even though he had every reason to fire away.

“I really can’t explain how we got here. All I know is that we’re just here,” Guiao said moments after an 85-81 victory over Sta. Lucia Realty Sunday night that put his undermanned but over-achieving Red Bull crew outright into the semifinals of the Smart PBA Fiesta Cup at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City.

“It’s a tribute to the resiliency of the boys, even after we lost our key players (to one-sided trades),” Guiao added as the Barako, getting 19 points and 20 rebounds from import Adam Parada, finished No. 2 in the elims at 11-7 behind the Air21 Express.

Also playing big for the Barako was Leo Najorda, the left-handed sophomore who scattered nine of his 15 points in the fourth quarter and allowed Red Bull to complete the come-from-behind win.

There were actually five Barako who finished in twin digits with Cyrus Baguio shooting 17 and Mike Hrabak and Celino Cruz combining for another 23.

It was Cruz, who drained a triple that made it 82-78 with 2:40 to go.

The victory, aside from giving Red Bull at least a two-week break, rewarded Guiao with a seventh straight semifinal appearance. But this one came with a lot of pride and satisfaction since the team didn’t command a second look at the start.

The defeat sent Sta. Lucia to a wild-card showdown against Alaska, which lost to Barangay Ginebra in the second game.

Chris Alexander had 18 points, 28 rebounds and crucial cushion free throws in the stretch as the Kings turned back the Aces, 97-90, to claim the third seed and an outright quarterfinal berth.

Aside from the Aces and the Realtors, who finished 7-11, the other wild-card squads are Purefoods and Talk ’N Text.

“The wild card is like a semifinal lineup considering the teams there,” Guiao explained. “That’s how close this conference has been.”

The scores:

First Game

RED BULL 85—Parada 19, Baguio 17, Najorda 15, Hrabak 12, Cruz 11, Adriano 6, Alvarez 3, Ybañez 2, Sharma 0, Robinson 0, Pennisi 0.
STA. LUCIA 81—Benson 27, Reyes 15, Williams 15, Miranda 7, Omolon 5, Espino 5, Mamaclay 3, Gonzales 2, Daa 1, Aquino 1, Coronel 0, Yeo 0, Mendoza 0.
Quarters: 17-24, 36-39, 62-57, 85-81

Second Game

GINEBRA 97—Helterbrand 20, Alexander 18, Valenzuela 18, Caguioa 15, Menk 8, Tubid 6, Mamaril 4, Artadi 3, Salvacion 3, Pacana 2, Crisano 0.
ALASKA 90—Miller 16, Holcomb 15, Tenorio 14, Fonacier 14, Thoss 10, Dela Cruz 9, Cariaso 9, Ferriols 2, Hugnatan 1, Quiñahan 0.
Quarters: 19-27, 43-43, 74-67, 97-90