Energy snare win in overtime

MANILA, Philippines - Barako Bull stretched its streak to four games in the PBA Philippine Cup last night just as it emerged slightly better than B-Meg in their error-strewn out-of-town match at the Panabo Multi-Purpose Sports and Tourism Center in Panabo, Davao del Norte.

The Energy got away with an 87-84 decision in overtime with the Llamados missing a shot and committing three errors in the final 1:25 of play.

The winning team itself ran into a maze of errors but pulled through, preserving the 86-84 edge they got on a tough shot by Wynne Arboleda off Josh Urbiztondo with still 1:07 left.

Barako tied Rain or Shine and Talk n Text in the lead at 4-1 (4-1) while B-Meg slid to eighth place at 2-4.

B-Meg forced the extension play as James Yap knocked in a three-pointer with 1.8 ticks left in regulation.

Barako still managed to get at shot in the closing seconds but Willie Miller missed the target.

The regulation play was marked by several momentum shifts with B-Meg opening the game with a 7-0 run, Barako sparking a second-quarter chase and the two teams trading more runs in the final half.

Ironically, the game – part of the Phoenix Fuel PBA on Tour series – dulled in overtime.

Kerby Raymundo accounted for two grievous errors, the second coming off a timeout with B-Meg looking to force a second OT.

He issued a pass that landed in the hands of Jondan Salvador – far from his intended receiver, James Yap.

Sent to the stripe with a quick foul, Salvador canned the first charity then deliberately missed the second that – again ironically – gave the Llamados another lifeline.

The Energy eventually won the game with Yap missing an attempt in the final second.

Meanwhile, Rain or Shine stakes its share of the lead as it tangles with Meralco in an exciting duel of surging teams at the resumption of play at the Ynares Sports Center in Antipolo tonight.

The Elasto Painters topped the Bolts, 89-84, in their first meeting on Oct. 19 then followed it up with a 120-84 demolition of the Alaska Milk Aces to gain league leadership.

Coach Yeng Guiao’s troops and coach Ryan Gregorio’s chargers, however, meet in an entirely different game especially with Macmac Cardona, Sol Mercado and Reynel Hugnatan back in the Meralco lineup.

The Bolts won their last two games against the Petron Bolts and the Alaska Milk Aces.

 making them serious threat to the Elasto Painters in their 4:15 p.m. tiff.

Petron and Powerade, teams which have both dropped their last two matches, mix it up at 6:30 p.m.

“With Sol Mercado and Mac Cardona healthy, the complexion of the game changes. We have to step up defensively to have a chance at winning,” said Guiao.

With his top guns back, Gregorio does believe they can match up better with Rain or Shine in their rematch.

Like Guiao, Gregorio is calling on his team to put emphasis on defense.

“Rain or Shine is playing excellent basketball. They are so fluid that all the players are in good sync. Everyone is capable of scoring so our team defense must be as solid as possible,” said Gregorio.

“Our players are buying into our defensive mind-set as our best weapon to down good teams. It will be the same stingy, no let-up defense that we must play in order to limit the scoring options of Rain or Shine,” Gregorio added.

Both teams are bracing for a battle.

“Teams are starting to give us serious thought and are preparing a lot harder when playing us,” said Guiao.

“It is important for us to fight toe-to-toe and stay close till the end and find ways to win,” said Gregorio.

It’s an exciting duel likely to be highlighted by backcourt match-ups between Rain or Shine’s Paul Lee and Gabe Norwood and Meralco’s Cardona and Mercado.

In the frontline, Asi Taulava, Gabby Espinas and Mark Isip man the fort for Meralco versus Elasto Painters Beau Belga, JR Quinahan and Larry Rodriguez.