Import bucks jetlag, propels Barako five past Boosters

Manila, Philippines -  Without a rest from his long flight from the US, Leroy Hickerson churned out a sterling all-around game, powering Barako Bull to a 111-107 victory over Petron Blaze in the PBA Governors Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum last night.

Hickerson marked his return to the local pro league with 32 points, eight rebounds and seven assists, and the Energy got back on track following back-to-back defeats.

“It definitely helped that he’s played here before. He knows some of the locals of ours and some locals of Petron. He also knows Eddie (Basden),” said Barako coach Junel Baculi.

Familiarity with the PBA brand of play and with some of his teammates gave Hickerson some edge while fighting off the rigors of a long flight and all the paper works he had to work on in the day.

“He’s in shape but his eyes were all red in the dugout before the game,” said Baculi.

“He just flew in this morning. From the airport, he went straight to the gym and we walked through our plays. From the gym, he went to the GAB (Games and Amusements Board) office (for his playing license) then to the PBA for the height measurement. Then he went to the game,” Baculi added.

Pacing himself well, Hickerson played a solid 38-minute game, doing much damage on Petron in the final half.

The former Air21 import, a two-time slam-dunk champion in the Mexican league, helped Barako through at the finish with two rebounds, an assist, a block, and a charity in the last 33 seconds.

Willie Miller and Ronald Tubid converted clutch shots as they also contributed big in Barako’s second win in four games in all.

Petron squandered a 14-point first-half lead as it suffered a second loss in its last three games, dropping to 3-2 overall.

Gary David poured in 30 points – his 19th straight game with at least 20 – and Powerade streaked to its third straight win in a 104-98 triumph over erstwhile unbeaten Rain or Shine later in the night.

“Our motivation was great. We wanted to be the first to beat the unbeaten team,” said Powerade coach Bo Perasol.

Miller put in 12 of his 16 points in the fourth quarter, including a reversed layup tying the count at 107-all with 56 ticks left.

After Jay Washington missed a top-of-the-key jumper in the ensuing play, Hickerson pulled down the defensive rebound and issued a perfect dish to Tubid for the go-ahead basket.

Moments later, Hickerson foiled a drive by Eddie Basden and grabbed another crucial rebound following a missed three-pointer by Washington to complete his heroics.

He piled up 15 points in the third quarter as the Energy stayed close behind the Boosters, trailing by seven, 84-91, going into the payoff period.

Don Allado canned in a 10-footer then Tubid drove past Chris Lutz at the the start of the fourth and Barako moved closer at 88-91.

After a long chase, the Energy drew even at 105-all on another drive by Tubid with 1:52 left.