Red Bull head coach Yeng Guiao said they made the necessary adjustments after losing by 19 points in the Game 1.
"We forgot to bring our defense with us in the first game. But tonight we played better defense," said Guiao during the postgame news conference.
The Barakos, who lost Game 1 103-84, did a remarkable effort defensively by shutting down virtually all of Purefoods’ offensive source.
"I don't think there will be too many blowouts like what happened in Game 1. From hereon, I guess it's going to be a defensive series. I don't think you'll see a lot of games in the 100s. Every team will try to stop the other team and not just try to outscore them," offered Guiao.
Game 2 was an all-Red Bull show with the Barakos building a comfortable lead early as their tenacious defense kept Purefoods' top two scorers – Kerby Raymundo and James Yap out of their comfort zone.
"I think we know how to play Purefoods. Our two victories against them were no fluke, its just that we were really tired last Sunday coming off two tough games against Magnolia in the quarters," said Guiao, defending his troops lackluster effort in Game 1.
Game 3 of the SMART-PBA Philippine Cup semifinal series will be played Friday at 7:20 also at the Cuneta Astrodome.
"That game will be very pivotal in this series," said Guiao, who expects the next two games to take its toll on Raymundo and James Yap.
"Those guys will eventually feel the fatigue. Kerby and James are just playing too many minutes and handling the ball too many times. So I guess the longer this series goes the better for us," the Pampanga Vice-Governor explained.
Red Bull held a 66-55 lead going into the fourth quarter but that comfortable margin almost dissipated as the Barakos missed crucial shots and turned the ball over on three consecutive possessions.
The Giants quickly capitalized and completed an 11-0 run with James Yap ending the spurt with a three-point play that pulled the Purefoods within 78-79 with 3:50 remaining.
But Mick Pennisi answered with a three on Red Bull's next possession then Valenzuela, who scored 11 of his 16 points in the fourth quarter, scored two quick baskets and assisted Cyrus Baguio for a fastbreak layup as the Barakos brought the lead back up to 88-80 and virtually took away whatever hopes Purefoods for a comeback.
Guiao said the burden to make the adjustments now rests on the shoulders of Purefoods head coach Ryan Gregorio.
Cyrus Baguio, who was nowhere to be found in Game 1, scored 19 points and sparked Red Bulls' offense in the first half. Kiko Adriano added 16, most of them when Purefoods threatened to make a run in the second half.
James Yap led all scorers with 29 points and Raymundo added 18 for the Giants, who outrebounded the Barakos, 51-37.
The Giants, who trailed by as much as 14 points, appeared to gain momentum in the third quarter but Raymundo, who was picking up his rhythm, busted his lips following a contact with Baguio. The injury required five stitches to close and kept the star forward on the bench the entire quarter.
The scores:
Red Bull 93 -- Baguio 19, Adriano 16, Valenzuela 16, Ybanes 10, Cruz 9, Pennisi 7, Sharma 6, Hrabak 6, Najorda 2, Bugia 2.
Purefoods 89 -- James Yap 29, Raymundo 18, Lanete 10, Simon 7, Pingris 6, R. Yap 6, Evangelista 6, Adducul 3, Salvador 2, Castillo 2, Sanz, 0, Yee 0.
Quarterscores: 22-13; 44-33; 66-55; 93-89===========================================
We pretended to be an offensive team in Game One and we suffered the consequence. Fortunately, we’re quick to realize our mistake," said Sta. Lucia coach Boyet Fernandez.
"We made a conscious effort to limit their production. I told them we can’t beat Alaska if we allow them to score 90 points or more," Fernandez added. "Our main objective in Game Three will be the same – try to start strong, sustain it and limit Alaska’s output."
Sta. Lucia held Alaska to 40.6 percent field-goal shooting and brought down the Aces’ output 30 points below their production in a 107-94 victory in the series opener Sunday.
Offensively, Kelly Williams had his usual numbers while guards Ryan Reyes and Denok Miranda held their own against Willie Miller and Mike Cortez this time.
"Changes in our defensive rotation proved to be a major factor. We neutralized them by putting Ryan Reyes on Jeff Cariaso, Bitoy Omolon on Mike Cortez and Kelly Williams on Joachim Thoss," said Fernandez.
"Another key was our backcourt rotation stepping up and holding their own against Alaska’s dreaded guards in Willie Miller, Mike Cortez and Jeffrey Cariaso," Fernandez added.
Fernandez, however, stressed it wasn’t easy avenging their Game One defeat. And he expects an even tougher grind the next game.
"It’s gonna be a battle from hereon," he said.
Williams scored a game-high 24 points while Omolon added 16, including a decisive five-point binge giving the Realtors an 81-75 cushion entering the final-minute mark.
Miller paced the Aces with 16 points but hastened their downfall on two missed three-pointers in the closing seconds.
Williams provided the exclamation point in their victory with a two-handed slam off an alley-oop pass by Miranda at the buzzer.
The two teams figured in a duel of spurts right in the opening period with Sta. Lucia starting the game with a 14-0 blitz and Alaska fighting back with an 18-3 assault.
The Realtors banked on a massive offense in the second period as they took a 39-37 edge at the turn. (NC)
The scores:
Sta. Lucia 86 – Williams 24, Omolon 16, Reyes 12, Miranda 11, Aquino 8, Espino 6, Yeo 3, Gonzales 3, Mendoza 3, Daa 0.
Alaska 77 – Miller 16, Thoss 14, Cariaso 13, Dela Cruz 12, Ferriols 9, Quinahan 5, Cortez 4, Hugnatan 2, Laure 2, Aban 0, Bajar 0, Juinio 0.
Quarterscores: 17-18, 39-37, 66-55, 86-77.
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