Barako Bull Energy vs Talk N Text Tropang Texters

ANTIPOLO, Philippines – Barako Bull’s senior brigade continued to showcase their old brilliance and savvy, pulling off a stirring 84-77 win over defending champion Talk n Text in the opener of their PBA Commissioner’s Cup best-of-five semifinals showdown at the Ynares Sports Center here tonight.

Gabe Freeman scored only eight points after pouring 13 in the first quarter but grizzled warriors Danny Seigle, Dorian Pena, Wynne Arboleda and Willie Miller took over, giving the Energy the decisive head start in the race-to-three-wins series.

Seigle scattered 19 points, including nine in the final quarter, Pena got away with a double-double job with 12 rebounds and 11 markers while Arboleda banged away back-to-back dagger three-pointers as Barako (formerly Air21) scored only its second win in 18 matches with Talk n Text over the last four seasons.

“It’s a big upset and it came at a very opportune time,” said Barako coach Junel Baculi.

“I believe they will come back strong and we have to be ready. I’m confident the guys will be ready. They’re players showing that they can play some more games. They’re showing their big heart,” Baculi added.

The Texters were outworked by their older rivals, and it certainly didn’t help they lost do-it-all forward Kelly Williams on an injury so early in the game.

Williams sustained a cut below his left eye in a collision with Ronald Tubid, and he was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital.

Minus Williams, the Texters were clobbered in rebounding, 45-67.

Freeman collared 16 rebounds with Pena, Seigle, Don Alado, Miller, Arboleda and Ronald Tubid contributing at least four each.

The Energy dominated the boards and also put up a tough defense, holding the Texters to 33-percent shooting.

“It’s playoff time. We’re veterans and we know how to win games,” said Pena, who collected huge numbers while doing a good defensive job on Talk n Text import Donnell Harvey.

The scores:

BARAKO 84 – Freeman 21, Seigle 19, Pena 11, Miller 10, Arboleda 9, Tubid 7, Pennisi 4, Allado 3, Najorda 0.

TALK N' TEXT 77 – Castro 27, Fonacier 14, Harvey 9, Dillinger 9, Carey 8, De Ocampo 4, Reyes 3, Williams 3, Gamalinda 0, Aguilar 0, Lao 0, Alapag 0.

Quarters: 24-23, 42-43, 58-58, 84-77