Barron, Red Bull streak past Kings

BACOLOD — Red Bull Barako stretched its run to three games with Earl Barron as its import, upending Barangay Ginebra, 94-85, to keep its hopes for an outright entry into the Gran Matador PBA Fiesta Cup semifinals at the USLS Gym here last night.

The Barakos played steady nearly all-game-long and outsmarted the Kings in the final quarter as they notched a second win on the road in three days.

Their ninth win in 17 games tied the Barakos and the Sta. Lucia Realtors at fourth place — still within striking distance of the third-running San Miguel Beermen at 9-7 and the second-ranked Alaska Aces at 10-7. The front-running Talk n Text Phone Pals are assured of a playoff for the second semis seat with an 11-6 record.

Fresh from a 90-80 conquest of Coca-Cola in Malolos, Bulacan Thursday, Red Bull remained bullish with the local Barakos inspired by Barron’s no-nonsense performance.

Barron had 29 points, eight rebounds, two steals, two blocks and one assist and got the needed support from Junthy Valenzuela, Nelson Asaytono and Vergel Meneses who all finished in double figures.

The continued absence of Eric Menk, meanwhile, seemed to finally take its toll on Ginebra, which saw the end of its own streak (two games).

The Kings moved out of contention for the top two on their ninth defeat against seven wins. They must win their last two games against the FedEx Express and the Phone Pals to have a shot at a twice-to-beat advantage in the wildcard plays.

The Kings figured in a fierce and furious duel with the Barakos in the first three quarters but suddenly went cold in the payoff period, going scoreless in the last two minutes of the game.

Down by three, 65-68, at the end of the third, the Barakos surged ahead, 75-68, on a 10-to-nothing run and kept the lead up to the final buzzer.

Andre Brown starred for the Kings as they made a decisive run in the third quarter.

highlighted by a thunderous windmill jam from the Ginebra import that sent the crowd up on their feet.

After one torrid run, the Kings went up by eight, 63-55, after trailing by six at 46-52.

It was a duel of spurts from the start with Red Bull taking the opening quarter at 18-13 with Asaytono beating the buzzer with a triple.