Barako Bull trips GlobalPort in epic comeback

MANILA, Philippines -- Michael Singletary poured in a personal conference high of 43 points as he almost singlehandedly carried Barako Bull to a rousing come-from-behind 98-97 win over Globalport in the PBA Governors Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Sunday night.

Singletary put in 27 points in the second half fuelling Barako Bull’s mighty fightback from 18 points down en route to the crucial win that forged a tie between the Energy Cola and the Meralco Bolts at second place on their identical 4-2 win-loss slates.

Ronjay Buenafe provided help with seven points in the third quarter then Danny Seigle stepped up in the fourth, delivering 10 markers as Barako Bull upended Globalport, handing the Batang Pier a third straight loss and fourth in six games in all.

Globalport had a chance to salvage the game but the Batang Pier didn’t use one remaining timeout after Markeith Cummings grabbed the defensive rebounds with five seconds left to play.

Cummings, who also came through with a personal conference high of 40 points, instead issued an outlet pass to Sol Mercado who missed a desperation three-point attempt from way out at the buzzer.

“I must admit we’re lucky to win this game,” said Barako Bull coach Rajko Toroman. “Globalport was the better team for three quarters. We started to do something good only in the last quarter.”

Riding emotional high from the Globalport-San Mig Coffee brawl early on, the Batang Pier did dominate the first three periods of play, leading by as many as 18 at 75-57 with 5:15 left in the third.

Cummings was the better import in the first 36 minutes but Singletary turned things around in the payoff quarter as Barako bounced back from a rout by Petron Blaze the last time out and thus closed in on a spot in the playoffs.

Toroman said the big key was their shift to a big lineup, allowing Singletary to strike at small forward position.

“We found a five (Mick Pennisi, Dorian Pena, Eman Monfort, Singletary and Seigle) that can do something. We made a good run with our big lineup,” said Toroman.

Still trailing by 15, 68-83, at the start of the fourth quarter, Singletary and Seigle combined in a hot 17-2 run as Barako pulled even at 85-all with 7:15 left to play.

Singletary nailed two charities then Mark Macapagal hit a three-pointer as the Energy Cola eventually surged ahead at 96-94 with 1:55 to go.

The Batang Pier committed numerous errors and lapses, failing to recover and eventually yielding the game.

“It’s difficult to win this game. What’s good is that we showed character. We didn’t stop to play,” said Toroman.

“Hopefully, we’ll be in better shape Tuesday,” Toroman added, hoping they can sustain their charge versus Rain or Shine on Tuesday also at the Big Dome.