Starmen wary of CAR five; PLDT faces Red Bull Barako

The Philippine STAR tangles with unfancied but dangerous CAR, Inc. while PLDT clashes with Red Bull Barako today in the crossover semifinal round of the Coke Light Invitational basketball tournament at the Meralco Gym.

The STARmen routed the CAR, Inc. cagers, 113-63, in their first meeting and went on to top the round-robin eliminations. But the hosts are expected to have their hands full when they go up against their rivals, who snatched the No. 4 spot from former champion RCBC, in the 9 a.m. encounter.

The talented trio of Chris dela Cruz, Vir Roque and Jon de Guzman are again expected to spearhead the STARmen’s bid in the annual event.

The other semis match pits PLDT, which settled for the No. 2 spot, versus resurgent Red Bull Barako at 10:30 a.m.

After a sluggish start, Red Bull Barako barged into the semis by winning its last two games in the elims behind prolific Fil-Am Francis Raushmayer.

With Talk N Text consultant Bill Bayno in the fold, the Phone Pals defeated Red Bull Barako, 74-63, in the elims. But the American mentor is a doubtful starter, which Red Bull Barako could take advantage of in its bid to reach the finals of the tournament.

Aside from Raushmayer, Red Bull Barako is expected to rely on Erwin Velez, Joshua Villapando, Vincent San Diego and American trainer Kirk Coller.