Red Bull boots out Magnolia
Alaska also forges sweep; boots out Coca-Cola
POWERHOUSE FALLS
Red Bull boots out Magnolia
Alaska also forges sweep; boots out Coca-Cola
MANILA, Philippines--(UPDATE) Leave it to Yeng Guiao to provide the perfect post-game speech for his Red Bull team.
"It's not about the big names and big salaries, but the big heart," Guiao said last night, minutes after steering his over-achieving Barako to the Smart PBA Philippine Cup's Final Four with a 112-94 victory that swept powerhouse Magnolia out of the playoffs at the Cuneta Astrodome.
"Barya-barya lang kami dito (we're just loose change in this field)," the mercurial mentor added. "I have to take pride in this team for getting into the semis. We've never been seriously looked at on paper."
Alaska, meanwhile, also completed a sweep of its series against a tired Coca-Cola crew after a 110-100 victory in the second game.
The Aces were led by reigning MVP Willie Miller, who took over the game in the third period with 14 of his 28 points as Alaska advanced to face the second-seeded Sta. Lucia Realtors also in a best-of-seven series.
"I'm just shocked that we are going to play (the semifinals) on Sunday," Alaska's Tim Cone said.
Red Bull held the high-powered Magnolia offensive machine scoreless for the first seven minutes of the second quarter to overhaul a 23-27 deficit and scoot to commanding leads which the Barako protected to the end.
Their 2-0 victory over the Beverage Masters put the Barako in a best-of-seven semifinal series with elimination round topnotcher Purefoods, and Magnolia will always remember this Red Bull team that it was not able to beat in four meetings here.
"The feeling (of making the semifinals) is that you are motivated even more," Guiao said. "We are trying to prove something by getting into the Finals and playing for another championship with a team without the superstars."
But Junthy Valenzuela, one of only two remnants of the original Red Bull team that entered the league in 2000, played like one, shooting 27 points, hauling down eight rebounds and issuing nine assists.
His 12 fourth quarter points came at the most crucial times, as he scored five straight in the middle of a 10-0 run that had the Barako zooming to a 101-80 lead heading into the final 3:06.
'Like playing our old team'
The series victory proved truly special for the Barako, who lost three legitimate stars to Magnolia in the last six months to one-sided trades.
"It looked like we were playing our old team," Guiao, the 15-year veteran tactician who made it to his sixth straight Final Four, said. "(That streak) is a feat in itself. I don't believe that there are so many teams without superstars that have been that consistent."
The scores:
First Game
RED BULL 112--Valenzuela 27, Najorda 15, Cruz 14, Adriano 11, Baguio 10, Pennisi 10, Sharma 9, Yba?ez 6, Andaya 3, Hrabak 3, Bugia 2, Robinson 2.
MAGNOLIA 94--Tugade 31, Tenorio 13, Seigle 13, Hontiveros 10, E. Villanueva 9, Ildefonso 7, J. Villanueva 6, Gonzales 5, Calaguio 0, Pe?a 0.
Quarters: 23-27, 55-40, 78-70, 112-94
Second Game
ALASKA 110--Miller 28, Hugnatan 21, Thoss 17, Cariaso 16, Ferriols 8, Cortez 8, Laure 6, Dela Cruz 6, Bono 0, Quinahan 0, Aban 0.
COCA-COLA 100--Taulava 20, Cabagnot 17, Telan 15, Buenafe 13, Arigo 9, Enrile 8, Calimag 7, Dimaunahan 7, Tolomia 4, Catli 0, Misolas 0.
Quarters: 21-20, 49-43, 78-70, 110-100
Source: http://sports.inquirer.net/inquirersports/inquirersports/view/20080125-114841/Red-Bull-boots-out-Magnolia
No comments:
Post a Comment