Arana keys Red Bull win in 6-ft junior cagefest

Ryan Arana scored 15 of his 19 points in the second half as Red Bull-National Pool whipped Shell-UCAA, 79-70, yesterday at the start of the first Bert Lina-Six Feet and Above Junior Basketball Championship at the Lyceum gym.

Red Bull tries to follow up its victory as it clashes with the Sta. Lucia-CUSA Selection at 1 p.m. today at the UST gym at the resumption of the two week-long cagefest backed by Airfreight 2100 and FedEx.

While acknowledging the 18-year-old Arana’s explosive stint in the second half, Red Bull coach Ching Ching Marcelino also credited his wards’ fine defensive job on the Shell shooters.

"We played a very good defensive job on their shooters. Our turnovers were limited to just two and Ryan did well with three other starters," said Marcelino.

Sen. Robert Jaworski made the ceremonial toss and was assisted by Air21 Chairman Lina and his wife Sylvia, Air21 president Lito Alvarez, Basketball Association of the Philippines executive vice president Christian Tan and coaches and representatives of the six competing teams.

Back-to-back triples from Brian Roldan in the opening period enabled Red Bull to break a 12-all deadlock and take charge, 21-13.

Shell-UCAA seeks to bounce back against the Talk N Text-National Pool at 4 p.m.