BY NOLI CORTEZ

A LITTLE adjustment can go a long, long way, as Red Bull displayed to the fullest last night.

Applying more defensive pressure on Purefoods’ key players, the Bulls scored a cruising 93-89 win to even their Smart PBA Philippine Cup semifinals series at one game apiece at the Astrodome.

The victory avenged the Bulls’ 84-103 loss in the best-of-seven series opener just last Sunday and, according to coach Yeng Guiao, was brought about by his team going into the game better prepared, especially on the defensive side.

"We played better defense today than in the first game. We forgot to bring our defense in that game," said Guiao, adding the pressure has now gone over to the side of Purefoods.

"The burden of adjustment is now with Purefoods. We’ll see what adjustment they’ll make," he stated.

"I think Okay na ang adjustment namin ngayon," he added. "Puwera na lang kung magaling ang adjustment nila sa Friday. Then balik na naman kami sa drawing board."

James Yap scored a game-high 29 points for Purefoods but he made only 10 of 25 shots from the field after being harassed no end by the alternating defense anchored on Cyrus Baguio, Junthy Valenzuela and Francis Adriano.

The Bulls’ offense was spearheaded by the same defensive trio, with Baguio leading the way with 19 and Valenzuela and Adriano chipping in 16 points each.

Despite a busted upper lip caused by Baguio’s hard foul early in the third quarter, Kerby Raymundo still finished with 18 points and eight rebounds while Chico Lanete was the only other Giant in double figures with 10 points, most coming when the game was beyond reach.

When the three were held scoreless in the first quarter, Red Bull had little trouble pulling away and erecting as much as a 77-63 lead in the third quarter.

The Giants did come within 78-79, but Mick Pennisi boomed in a dagger-like triple, sparking an 11-4 surge the 6-foot-9 center himself capped with two free throws to make it an unassailable 90-82 count, only 32 seconds left.

The Giants helped fuel that decisive run by missing three shots and turning the ball over once in the face of the Bulls’ swarming harassments.

Guiao now maintains defense will decide the rest of the series.

"From hereon it will be a defensive series," he said. "I don’t think you’ll see a lot of games in the 100s."