PASAY CITY—The Red Bull Barakos bounced back from their disappointing performance in Game 1, hacking out a gutsy, 93-89 win over the Purefoods Tender Juicy Giants last night in Game 2 of their best-of-seven semifinal series of the 33rd PBA Philippine Cup at the Cuneta Astrodome here.
Totally outplayed in their, 83-104 Game 1 loss, the Barakos went to work early, building double digit leads before quashing repeated rallies by the Giants and reducing the series into a best-of-five affair.
“We played better on the defensive end in this game unlike in Game 1. My guards took care of the offense while my big men did well in defense,” Red Bull coach Yeng Guiao said.
Guards Cyrus Baguio, Francis Adriano, Junthy Valenzuela and Warren Ybanez all scored in double figures for the Barakos, whose quick start gave them 44-33 edge at the half.
The Giants started the third with seven unanswered points to close in at, 40-44.
Purefoods was just within three, 50-53, when Red Bull detonated an 8-0 blast and restored another double-digit spread, 61-50 and closed the third with a, 66-55 lead.
Red Bull threatened to break the game wide open when it zoomed to a 77-63 lead early in the fourth but James Yap’s four straight points triggered a 15-2 run by Purefoods, allowing the Giants to sneak in to within a point, 78-79, 3:50 left.
Mick Pennisi then gave Red Bull a much-needed basket, beating the shotclock for an 82-78 Barakos lead.
After a basket by Kerby Raymundo, Valenzuela strung up four straight points, Baguio converted an acrobatic layup as the Barakos zoomed to an, 88-80 lead with only 1:43 left.
Baguio led Red Bull with 19 points, Adriano and Valenzuela had 16 each while Ybnanez added 10.
Yap led the Giants with a game-high 29 points while Raymundo and Chico Lanete chipped in 18 and 10, respectively.
BOX SCORES
RED BULL (93)- Baguio 19, Adriano 16, Valenzuela 16, Ybanez 10, Cruz 9, Pennisi 7, Sharma 6, Hrabak 6, Najorda 2, Bugia 2.
PUREFOODS (89)- J. Yap 29, Raymundo 18, Lanete 10, Simon 7, Pingris 6, R. Yap 6, Evangelista 6, Adducul 3, Salvador 2, Castillo 2, Sanz 0, Yee 0. QUARTERSCORES: 22-13, 44-33, 66-55, 93-89. /Correspondent Calvin Cordova
