Red Bull spills Coke, gains q'final

by Musong R. Castillo
Source: INQUIRER.net | January 10, 2008

Yeng Guiao knows that this might not count the way he wants it to in the long run.

"This win is just to get back our confidence," Guiao said after steering Red Bull to a masterful 116-99 conquest of Coca-Cola Wednesday night at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City that guaranteed the Barako a quarterfinal stint in the Smart PBA Philippine Cup.

"We've been struggling [lately] and a win is always something to boost our morale," the champion coach added. "What we are just trying to accomplish right now is a better record [for the quarterfinals] and a chance for a playoff [for the second outright semifinal seat].

"But I think that (playoff) is highly unlikely at this point."

The Barako were in control right from the get-go with Mick Pennisi leading the way with a career game that ultimately gave Red Bull its 10th win in 17 games.

Coca-Cola lost for the third straight game and dropped to solo ninth spot at 6-11.

Pennisi, one of only two original players left in the Red Bull roster, finished with 29 points, his career-high.

"I guess I just got lucky," the mild-mannered, 6-foot-9 center, who hit 5-of-8 three-point attempts, said. "It just happened that tonight, they left me alone (in the perimeter)."

Red Bull snapped a two-game losing streak with the victory and has Purefoods as its last foe in the elimination round.

Tied for third now with Alaska, both the Barako and the Aces don't hold their fates in their hands, as Sta. Lucia Realty, which has won its last seven games, can win the second seat on Sunday against a skidding Air21 crew.

Meanwhile, the board meeting Thursday that would have had the members voting for the next commissioner has been reset for Thursday next week.

The reason given was that league chair Tony Chua of Red Bull suddenly had some pressing matters to attend to in Hong Kong.

The board is currently believed to be divided on who to choose between lawyer Chito Salud and telecommunications executive Lambert Ramos.

Two rounds of voting last Dec. 17 were not enough for the board to come up with the replacement for Noli Eala, who will be the league's seventh commissioner.

And a check among several members of the board indicated that things would have stayed the same had the third round been held Thursday since supporters of the two candidates have remained steadfast on their respective choices.

Last Dec. 17, Salud and Ramos battled to 5-4 deadlocks. Under league rules, a two-thirds vote, in this case, six of the nine voting teams, is needed for a candidate to win the commissionership.

The Scores:

First Game
Red Bull 116 - Pennisi 29, Valenzuela 22, Baguio 21, Hrabak 17, Najorda 7, Bugia 6, Ybanez 5, Sharma 4, Cruz 3, Duncil 2, Membrere 0, Robinson 0.

Coca-Cola 99 - Taulava 24, Cabagnot 17, Catli 11, Telan 11, Buenafe 8, Calimag 8, Isip 7, Enrile 5, Duremdes 4, Dimaunahan 2, Tolomia 2.

Quarterscores: 35-29, 61-53, 91-80, 116-99