Barakos back in groove, halt Pals

Red Bull Barako halted its two-game skid and Talk n Text’s two-game romp as the Barakos subdued the Phone Pals, 104-102, in a Gran Matador PBA Fiesta Cup road game at the Calape Sports Center in Calape, Bohol last night.

Dalron Johnson and Lordy Tugade starred for Red Bull as the team charged back from an 18-point deficit early on and outlasted Talk n Text in a close finish for the win that forced a five-way logjam at second place among the Barakos, the Phone Pals, the Alaska Aces, the Ginebra Kings and the Shell Turbochargers with identical 5-4 win-loss cards.

The Barakos fell behind by 18 at 30-48 and didn’t catch up with the Phone Pals until midway through the final period with Johnson and Tugade spearheading the attack.

Talk n Text took the half at 53-44 and was still ahead by four, 75-71, at the end of the third period.

Meanwhile, Mark Caguioa and Dennis Espino traded barbs in their previous game and could figure in a fierce showdown as Barangay Ginebra and Sta. Lucia Realty clash for the second time in the classification round at the Ynares Sports Center today.

"Pagalingan dapat ang laban. Panahon pa ni Jaworski ang tirahan," said Caguioa, accusing the Realtors of dirty tricks in the game.

Espino hit back by saying: "Basketball ang larong ito. Kung ayaw niyang masaktan, sa munisipyo sya mag-reklamo."

Caguioa bucked hard fouls from the Realtors as he exploded for 40 points in leading the Kings to a 93-87 decision in their first meeting last April 6.

The two teams are expected to figure in an even tougher game today with the Kings aching to recover from a two-game skid while the Realtors have gotten back on track, winning their last two games.

They play at 4:45 p.m., preceding the 7:35 p.m. tiff between joint third placers the Alaska Aces and the Shell Turbochargers.