Buenafe helps Energy overhaul Aces

MANILA, Philippines - Barako Bull unloaded a barrage of three-pointers as it rallied from 15 points down early in the fourth quarter en route to a stirring 97-93 win over Commissioner’s Cup titlist Alaska Milk in the PLDT MyDSL PBA Philippine Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum last night.

Ronjay Buenafe and Mick Pennisi both went 3-of-3 from beyond the arc in the payoff period as against Alaska’s 0-of-6 clip as the much-maligned Energy Cola continued to prove their detractors wrong, nailing a follow-up on their triumphant season debut versus the Air21 Express Wednesday.

Buenafe finished with seven treys in all and a two-year personal best of 27 points, including an acrobatic shot off heavy traffic that pushed Barako Bull ahead to stay at 95-93 with 33.7 ticks left.

“I saw an open lane and I took it,” said Buenafe of his important shot.

Pennisi, JC Intal and Willie Miller provided crucial help in their fourth-quarter siege as the Energy Cola handed the Aces a second loss in three starts in the tourney.

“I missed my first three shots but I hit good rhythm later. That’s what I’m here –  to shoot treys not to look pretty,” said Pennisi who sparked their rally with three straight triples.

“It’s a game of execution and adjustments. They made a key adjustment in the third period and we made our own in the fourth quarter. The boys responded and it paid off,” said Barako Bull coach Bong Ramos.

“Ronjay is capable of scoring in the 20s. In this game, he’s really hot especially at the start and when we needed to come back,” Ramos also said.

Buenafe delivered his best game in a long while and took charge when needed the most by his team.

The former Emilio Aguinaldo College hotshot poured in 10 markers as the Energy Cola set the pace in the first 24 minutes of play, taking the half at 44-40.

Gabby Espinas, RJ Jazul and Cyrus Baguio hit their strides, however, coming from the halftime break, and the Aces stormed ahead, 76-63, in the third quarter.

Alaska led by 15 twice, 78-63 and 80-65, at the start of the final quarter before Pennisi and Buenafe torched the Aces with hot three-point shooting.

Buenafe also struck on the drive when the opportunity presented itself.

Barangay Ginebra continued to live up to expectation with its beefed-up lineup, rapping Rain or Shine, 97-84, for a second straight win later in the night.

Mark Caguioa topscored with 22 points while the frontcourt duo of Japeth Aguilar and Greg Slaughter combined for 37 markers and 23 boards as the Kings stopped the E-Painters’ two-game run.