MANILA, Philippines - Philippine Cup ninth placer Barako Bull is off to a bullish start with its overhauled team.
The Energy Cola sustained the fire and energy of their triumphant debut against the San Mig Coffee Mixers Friday, withstanding the Globalport Batang Pier, 98-88, in overtime for the early solo lead in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum last night.
Mark Macapagal, among the team’s key acquisitions during the brief in-between-conference break, banged in a three-pointer with .9 second left to force the extension play, and Barako Bull roared on in the extra period for a second straight win with its brand-new lineup under new coaches Rajko Toroman and Bong Ramos.
“We’re really waiting for Macapagal’s shot the whole game. It came in the right time,†said Ramos of the clutch play capping Barako’s comeback from 10 points down in the last two minutes of regulation play.
The Energy Cola stepped up their game even more in overtime with Danny Seigle, Jonas Villanueva and Josh Urbiztondo going for the kill as they eventually stole the game from the Batang Pier.
“We showed lots of character out there,†said Urbiztondo who topscored for the locals with six three pointers and a total of 24 points.
The Batang Pier, on the other hand, floundered in the crunch, thus blowing away a chance to notch a franchise mark. It will be remembered that Globalport chalked up just a lone win in 14 games in the Philippine Cup.
They lost what had looked like a won ball game as they went scoreless in the last two minutes of regulation period and scored only two markers in OT.
“We played tough defense,†said Ramos, officially the Barako Bull head coach.
“Our strategy was to stop Sol Mercado’s penetration moves and the outside shots of Gary David and Willie Miller,†said Toroman, officially only Barako’s coaching consultant/first assistant coach who actively called the shots from the bench.
Evan Brock led all scorers with 25 points while Villanueva and Seigle added 18 and 16, respectively, for the Energy Cola who gave Toroman a good birthday present.
Going down the drain for Globalport were sterling outings by Japeth Aguilar, Sol Mercado and Gary David.
The Batang Pier had a chance to salvage the game but David missed a jumper at the buzzer in regulation.
Michael Dunigan was an intimidating inside presence for Air21 as the Express upended the Barangay Ginebra Kings, 74-70, in the nightcap.
“Dunigan was a big factor. He gave us tremendous presence underneath,†said Air21 coach Franz Pumaren.