Singletary, Monfort hold the fort for Barako

MANILA, Philippines - Barako Bull banked on another explosive performance of import Michael Singletary and key contribution of rookie guard Eman Monfort as the Energy Cola fended off the Air21 Express, 103-94, for a second straight win in the PBA Governors Cup at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City Sunday night.

Singletary and Monfort again anchored Barako Bull’s game, pooling together 53 points including clutch baskets that kept the Energy Cola intact under pressure at the finish.

The hardworking Barako import from Texas Tech and the gutsy rookie playmaker from Ateneo combined for seven straight points just as the Express, falling behind by 20 early in the third quarter, threatened to within three at 93-96 in the last three minutes of play.

The Energy Cola went on to scuttle the Express’ comeback try and thus forged a heavy four-way tie at 2-1 with the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, the Petron Blaze Boosters and the Globalport Batang Pier. The Express fell to 1-2.

“We know that Air21 is not that strong inside that’s why we kept on attacking them. We lost rhythm in the second half and it’s good that we’re able to pull through,” said Barako Bull coach Rajko Toroman.

“It’s a big second straight win for us. We’re playing great basketball and I think we’re in a good position to make the quarterfinal round,” Toroman also said.

Hitting from inside and out, Singletary wound up with a second 41-point output in his first three games in the local pro league. He also came through with 12 rebounds, two assists and the same number of steals and blocks in another sterling all-around effort.

Singletary, Monfort and Ronjay Buenafe combined for five three-pointers in a vicious run in the second quarter carrying the Energy Cola to a 65-47 lead at the half.
Barako enjoyed its 20-point spread at 67-47 before Zach Graham took charge for Air21, igniting a fightback that put the Express in the fight at the finish.

Alas, the Express punished themselves with crucial lapses at the height of their rally.

At 93-96, Graham made an errant pass going to the hands of a Barako player.

The Express played the clock before Monfort banged away a crucial three-pointer making it 99-93 with 2:37 left to play.

Then Mark Isip bungled a short stab paving the way for another Barako basket that settled the outcome of the game at 101-93 with a minute left in the clock.

Imposing and intimidating were the Energy Cola at the paint early on that they disallowed a single trip to the stripe by the Express in the first 24 minutes of play.

The Energy Cola ended up with 28-of-37 charities as against the Express’ 11-of-18 free throws.