Duncil fuels Red Bull

by Reuel Vidal
Source: Manila Standard Today | December 22, 2007

The Red Bull Barakos got a surprise lift from rookie Jojo Duncil to carve a 106-97 victory over the Welcoat Dragons in the Smart-Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup at the Cuneta Astrodome last night.

Duncil, who got a surprise start, made full use of his minutes to finish with 10 points and 6 rebounds, but more importantly contained Welcoat hotshot Rob Wainwright in the payoff fourth period.

"Jojo plays the Red Bull type of game," said Red Bull coach Yeng Guiao. "He plays with intensity. With Cyrus [Baguio] not yet 100 percent, we really needed help in the wing position. I'm very happy with Jojo's game. He can hurt the other team from inside or the outside."

Duncil was a premier amateur cager, who somehow slipped to the second round in this year's PBA Draft. He tallied nine critical points in the first half when the Barakos made their move to erect a big lead which they protected until the end.

The Barakos (9-5) moved a full game ahead of pursuers Alaska (8-6), Sta. Lucia (8-6) and Talk N Text (8-6). The Purefoods Tender Juicy Giants (11-3) continue to lead the way in the standings.

"What's most important is to firm up our hold on second place," said Guiao. "We're just one game ahead of our closest pursuers. The game against Alaska on Christmas Day will be crucial. We have to win that game in order to put some distance between us and the other teams."

Nic Belasco and Wainwright drilled in a pair of triples at the start of the fourth period to cut the Red Bull lead to only 10 points, 84-74.

But the Barakos answered right back with a 14-7 run to virtually seal the outcome of the match, jumping to a 17-point lead, 98-81, with only five minutes left to play.

The Dragons (3-12) endured their eighth straight loss, tying the league conference record set earlier by the Coca-Cola Tigers. The Tigers (5-8) have since won four straight and have climbed Ginebra (5-9) into the eighth spot. Only one team will be eliminated after the two-round eliminations.

Carlo Sharma followed up a missed fastbreak layup by Topex Robinson to extend the Red Bull lead to 15 points, 84-69, after the third period.

Robinson finished with 15 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists to win Player of the Game honors. Baguio, still recovering from chicken pox, managed 15 points.

"Hindi pa 100 percent si Cyrus," said Guiao. "Sa practice nga nag-eensayo siya mag-isa. But we really need him for the Alaska game which is why I fielded him in to let him get a feel for the game."

Source: http://ngetstudio.com/Red_Bull_Barako/news/?id=3369