Petron five blazes way to solo lead

MANILA, Philippines - Petron Blaze continued to play high-octane game despite manpower shortage, gaining early solo lead in the 2011-12 PBA Philippine Cup with a 95-83 whipping of Barako Bull last night at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.

Old mainstays Alex Cabagnot, Arwind Santos and Danny Ildefonso and new recruits Chris Lutz and Calor Sharma put in solid efforts helping the Boosters sustain the fire of their Governors Cup title conquest.

“Five players getting double-digit outputs helped a lot. And the whole team working hard on defense helped a lot more,” said Petron coach Ato Agustin.

“With just 10 players, I’m surprised we’re the tournament leader. The players deserve the credit,” added Agustin, lauding his troops who worked hard in the absence of Jay Washington, Rabeh Al-Hussaini and Dondon Hontiveros.

The team also hopes to get added boost from free agent Rob Reyes. Agustin said they would also look for another point guard to back up Alex Cabagnot and Denok Miranda.

Cabagnot fired six triples and finished with a game-high 22 points as the Boosters made it two-zero in the season following a 73-69 decision over the B-Meg Llamados Wednesday.

Santos, Ildefonso, Sharma and Lutz also made big impact as the Boosters sent the Energy reeling to their 12th straight defeat dating back to the 2010 Commissioner’s Cup.

Santos delivered 19 points, including back-to-back jams to cap a 15-2 run that broke Barako Bull’s back in the fourth quarter.

Lutz, who topscored for the team the last time with 19, came through with 19 this time while Sharma and Ildefonso combined for 26.

Curiously, former Petron player Mick Pennisi paced the Energy with 16 while another ex-Booster Sunday Salvacion added 11.

“We can’t be too happy. We have only 10 men and we know that we have a lot to work on to,” said Cabagnot.

Cabagnot drilled in three treys earlier while Santos contributed seven points and eight rebounds in a steady Petron start leading to a 47-37 cushion at the half.

Two years after playing one game with Burger King as the top draft pick, Japeth Aguilar returned in the pro league with aplomb, scattering 27 points to lead Talk n Text to a 98-80 rout of Meralco later in the night.

“Japeth fits our style perfectly. We love to run up and down, and Japeth loves to run up and down. If he can pick his spots and understand how the opponents play, he’ll really perform well,” said coach Chot Reyes of their prized recruit.

Barako even trailed by 13 earlier but came to life in the third quarter, racing ahead at 56-54 on an attack presided over by Pennisi, Salvacion and rookie Allein Maliksi.

Lutz and Sharma took charge as Petron reestablished control, 69-57, going to the payoff period.  

With a precarious 75-70 lead, Cabagnot bombed away three successive three-pointers then Santos took over with nine straight markers as Petron eventually finished off the Energy.