Fight mars Bulls repeat win over Giants

Fight mars Bulls repeat win over Giants
By Nelson Beltran
Thursday, January 17, 2008

Red Bull overcame Purefoods Tender Juicy, 97-84, in non-bearing encounter marred by a fight that could lead to huge fines and suspension last night at the Astrodome.

Nine Bulls scored at least eight points each in a well-balanced game resulting to a repeat of their 87-74 rout of the Giants in their previous match last Nov. 17 in Tacloban.

The two teams engaged in a rugged and emotional game in their rematch with Carlo Sharma and Jondan Salvador thrown out of the game early in the fourth after figuring in a fight.

Sharma elbowed Salvador at the back of the head with the Purefoods forward retaliating with a hard punch, sending the Red Bull center to the floor.

“It’s the kind of intensity you can get from both teams. It’s a non-bearing game. What more if it’s already a bearing game in the playoffs,” said Red Bull coach Yeng Guiao.

“Actually the game was for bragging rights. We’re trying to preserve a record against Purefoods. We’re the only team not beaten by Purefoods,” said Guiao on their two-game sweep of the Giants in the Smart PBA Philippine Cup double-round eliminations.

The Bulls took the half at 48-35 and sustained their run despite the Sharma-Salvador fracas that erupted with three minutes into the fourth quarter.

“It’s okay getting physical. But he’s the first to lose his temper and I just got back at him,” said Salvador, right after being ejected from the game.

Salvador ended up with a swollen left arm and Sharma a busted upper lip.

Despite the loss, Purefoods got top seeding in the playoffs with a 12-5 win-loss record with Red Bull ending up No. 4 with an 11-7 card.

“Hopefully, the victory could help us get out of slack completely. Yes, we won our last two games. But I think we need this game to get really back on track,” said Guiao.

Red Bull’s problem is the possible suspension of Sharma in its next game or two.

“Any suspension will hurt any team. But we’re leaving it to the wisdom of the commissioner and just wait for the decision,” said Guiao.

The Bulls dominated the Giants with a well-balanced offense that saw Cyrus Baguio and Junthy Valenzuela topscore with 11 each, Paolo Bugia, Michael Robinson and Mike Hrabak add 10 apiece and Leo Najorda, Mark Andaya, Celino Cruz and Mick Pennisi chip in at least eight.


Source: http://philstar.com/index.php?Sports&p=49&type=2&sec=30