Red Bull wins, gives Coke free ride

PUERTO PRINCESA, Palawan — Scott Burrell was off but Willie Miller and Davonn Harp picked up the slack as Red Bull Barako remained unbeaten on the road this season, pulling off a nail-biting 80-78 win over Shell at the Puerto Princesa Coliseum last night.

Miller ran a sterling fourth-quarter show and Harp delivered the winning basket as the Thunder overcame Burrell’s four-point showing and practically clinched a slot in the quarterfinal round of the Samsung PBA Reinforced Conference.

Coca-Cola gained a free ride into the quarters on Red Bull Barako’s great escape act versus the badly-stunned Shell team in their Air Philippines-sponsored out-of-town duel.

The Thunder stayed unscathed in four games on the road this season and stretched their romp to six games in the conference despite Burrell’s mediocre game.

The team survived as Miller and Harp took charge in a searing fourth-quarter Barako chase that overturned their 14-point deficit in the third quarter.

Miller fired 13 of his 15 points in the fourth quarter, including a slam that sent the crowd roaring and forced a 76-all deadlock with 1:41 left in the clock.

After Miller hit another shot on a fastbreak then Rensy Bajar answered with two foul shots, Harp made the biggest basket of the night as he scored on a short stab off Jamal Kendrick, breaking a 78-all standoff with only 3.9 ticks left.

With no more timeout to make, the Turbochargers could only go for a desperation heave through Bajar at the buzzer as they suffered a sixth loss in nine games.

They remained winless in three games on the road this season.

It was a sorry loss for the Turbochargers, specially for Kendrick, who dished out an inspired game with his girlfriend Jenny watching in the gallery. Kendrick logged 25 points, 12 rebounds, six blocks, three steals and two assists.

Burrell, on the other hand, was a sorry sight on the floor last night as he went 2-of-12 from the field.

But the former Chicago Bull helped on defense, making crucial stops, including a block on Eddie Laure with the count tied at 78.

Meanwhile, Sta. Lucia welcomes back to its fold old import Damien Owens as the Realtors battle the Purefoods Hotdogs at the resumption of action at the Araneta Coliseum tonight. Owens, who led the Realtors to the 2001 Governors Cup championship, takes over Nate James.