Red Bull Barako foiled Magnolia Beverage Masters' attempt to snatch a slot in the semi-finals yesterday as it dominated Game 2 of their quarterfinal series in the Smart PBA Philippine Cup at the Cuneta Astrodome.

Refusing to yield the lead after a tentative first quarter, the Barakos silenced all Magnolia fans at the Astrodome with a 112-97 win over the Beverage Masters.

Scoring 27 points on 9-of-13 shooting, Junthy Valenzuela finished the game with 27 points, nine assists, eight rebounds and two steals to take home the game's MVP honor in the win which eliminated Magnolia from the playoffs.

Yeng Guiao's wards contributed their best efforts to carry Red Bull Barako to the semifinals against No. 1 seed Purefoods Tender Juicy Giants.

Leo Najorda, Celino Cruz, Francis Adriano, Cyrus Baguio and Mick Pennisi connected their shots while Carlo Sharma, tiny Warren Ibanez, Mike Hrabak, Paolo Bugia and Topex Robinson made good accounts of themselves on the defensive end to complete Red Bull's mastery over Magnolia.

"It's a good feeling making the semis. With a team that's been depleted during after the offseason we've never been really seriously looked at … at least on paper. So I take pride in this team for what we have achieved," said Guiao during the post-game news conference.

It was the third straight semifinal appearance for the Barakos in this centerpiece tournament and sixth straight conference overall.

"I don't think that there's any team that had been that consistent with all the many things that had happened to the team. So if it's just for consistency, (six) straight semis is a feat in itself," Guiao said.

Red Bull's fourth victory in as many meetings with Magnolia this conference was a humbling experience for the Barakos, who knocked out a star-studded team that included the Barakos' former superstars -- Rico Villanueva, Lordy Tugade and Larry Fonacier – who were dealt to Magnolia one after the other last season.

To be dominated in four games this conference by a Red Bull team which jaded observers previously thought would not stand a chance against a star-powered team like Magnolia, will leave a deep scar in the hearts of Beverage Masters' head coach Siot Tanquincen and his troops.

During that stretch, Magnolia missed their first 12 shots and committed five turnovers as Red Bull turned a 23-27 deficit to a 44-28 advantage.

The Beverage Masters hit their first field goal with 5:05 remaining on a basket by Seigle but the Barakos quickly responded with a 10-4 run to rip the game wide open.

Magnolia rallied but never got closer than 68-73 on two free throws by Lordy Tugade in the closing seconds of the third.

Tugade led all scorers with 31 points, L.A. Tenorio added 13 points which Seigle matched while adding 15 rebounds for Magnolia, which shot just 39 percent (33-of-83) from the field compared to Red Bull's 53 percent.

Red Bull also outscored Magnolia in transition 27-11 and in bench scoring, 73-27.*

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Barakos advance to semis, win Game 2 vs. Magnolia