Star, Red Bull advance to final

The Philippine STAR and Red Bull Barako fashioned out contrasting wins over CAR Inc. and PLDT to arrange a titular showdown in the Coke Light Invitational basketball tournament at the Meralco gym yesterday.

The Starmen reasserted their mastery over the Car Care Specialists, repeating with a 93-68 rout while the Barako got back at the Phone Pals with an 81-77 decision in the cross-over semifinals of the tournament conceptualized by the Philippine STAR to foster friendship and camaraderie among its advertisers and business partners.

The Philippine Star had a relatively easy time disposing of CAR Inc. with five Starmen, led by Ver Roque with 15 points, scoring in double figures. Jon de Guzman added 11 while Chris dela Cruz, Alfred Bartolome and Rene Recto chipped in 10 apiece.

Working efficiently on both ends of the court, the Starmen got off to a jackrabbit start, erecting a 34-13 lead in the first period before sitting on a 66-28 cushion at halftime.

They kept huge margins all the way to the finish.

Red Bull Barako, meanwhile, needed a decisive spurt in the fourth quarter to repulse PLDT.