Red Bull bounces back from a frustrating Game 1 loss in the hands of Purefoods with a 93-89 win last night at the Cuneta Astrodome to even their semi-final series in the 2007-08 SMART PBA Philippine Cup.

The Barakos shook off the lethargy that seemed to befall them during Sunday's 103-84 loss to pull one over the Giants in their best-of-seven showdown.

Early in the Game, coach Ryan Gregorio's wards were priming for a 2-0 lead in the series but the Barakos of coach Yeng Guiao simply refused to back down, got their acts together and put Red Bull back on the race for a slot in the finals.

Gregorio has been telling the Giants not be complacent as the series remains an uphill climb for Purefoods and that the Barakos who played in Game 1 were not the same team that swept the star-studded Magnolia in the quarterfinals.

Should the Giants succeed in taming the Barakos in the series, it will be the 20 th championship appearance for Purefoods since joining the league in 1988.

However, Gregorio agreed with the analysis of PBA observers that it was a weary Red Bull team that reported to the Astrodome Sunday. The Barakos were not able to cash in on the breaks of the game and appeared sloppy in the defense department.

But two days of rest did the Barakos well and they are now poised to grab the series lead when the two teams meet on Friday for Game 3.*NAB

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