Red Bull Barako, CAR enter semis

Red Bull Barako worked hard for a semis slot while CAR, Inc. enjoyed a free ride yesterday as they joined PLDT and The Philippine STAR in the Final Four of the Coke Light Invitational basketball tournament at the Meralco Gym.

Drawing a huge game from 6’10" slotman Vincent San Diego, Red Bull Barako walloped Sunkist, 90-55, while CAR, Inc. advanced following The STAR’s 104-87 victory over last year’s STAR Friendship League champion Rizal Commercial Banking Corp.

CAR, Inc. lost to PLDT, 75-72, to finish tied with RCBC at fourth spot with 2-3 slates but won via the tiebreak on the strength of the former’s 115-103 win over the latter last week.

The STAR finished the elimination round tied with PLDT on top with 4-1 records but had a better tiebreak to end up as No. 1.

The STAR will now take on CAR, Inc. while PLDT tackles Red Bull Barako in a pair of knockout semis showdowns set June 7 in the same venue.

Making up for a sorry 76-96 loss to Red Bull Barako last week, The STAR vented its ire on RCBC as the trio of Chris dela Cruz, Jon de Guzman and Vir Roque took care of things with a combined output of 66 points.

But it was De Guzman who delivered the decisive blows after he detonated a 10-point bomb in the third quarter to knock the daylights out of the Bankers, who were led by former pro Aldrin Morante’s 25 markers.

Defense also played a vital role, thanks to the toughness displayed by Alfred Bartolome, Mario Geocada, Bong Martinez, Roy Canlas, Ting Hojilla and Arnel Ferrer.