Barako defense leads to PBA breakthrough

MANILA, Philippines - It took a painful trip over troubled waters before Barako Bull finally snapped a five-game losing streak to win back-to-back in the PBA Philippine Cup but coach Koy Banal knows the journey will only get tougher as the eliminations come to a climax.

Banal has always been known as a defense-oriented coach. But in Barako’s first five outings, the Energy was virtually defenseless and ranked first in most points given up at close to 100 a game. To be sure, the tailspin wasn’t a shocker. Barako announced a coaching change the day before the PBA season, elevating Banal to the hot seat in place of Siot Tanquingcen.

 Additionally, Barako opened the season with eight players struck out of the lineup from the previous year – Willie Miller, Keith Jensen, Rob Labagala, Mark Isip, Jason Deutchman, Hans Thiele, Leo Najorda and Bon-Bon Custodio. Newcomers were rookies Jake Pascual and Papot Paredes and veteran recruits Chico Lanete, R. R. Garcia and Jondan Salvador. The team recently made another personnel switch, trading Jeric Fortuna for Paolo Hubalde. With a radically revamped roster, chemistry was a serious issue at the onset.

Still, Barako fought valiantly in its season opener, losing to Meralco, 112-108, in double overtime. Then, the outlook became bleak as the Energy dropped to 0-5 with successive defeats to Globalport by 10, San Miguel Beer by 14, Rain Or Shine by 28 and Barangay Ginebra by 19. Despite the drubbing, Banal didn’t give up fighting. He knew that sooner or later, things would turn around particularly if Barako started to play defense like it should.

Last Nov. 12, Barako broke out of its slump by trouncing Kia Sorento, 87-71. What was impressive in the win was holding Kia to 71 points and 36 percent field goal shooting. The game also unveiled Pascual as a major character in Barako’s rebuilding efforts. Pascual came through with 22 points and 12 rebounds in 31:19 minutes. In five previous games, Pascual scored a combined 17. So hitting 22 in just one contest was a coming of age for the rookie from San Beda.

Last Wednesday, Barako made it two wins in a row, bowling over previously unbeaten Alaska, 85-78, in a huge upset at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. Once more, the Energy got it done with defense. The Aces were held to 39 percent field goal shooting. It was the second straight game where Barako limited its opponent to less than 80 points and less than 40 percent field goal accuracy.

Barako did a good job of scouting as the Energy had the solution to Alaska’s vaunted full court press and found the antidote to stymie the Aces’ triangle offense by denying a clear entry pass to the post. Pascual had another impressive showing with 12 points and nine rebounds but Banal’s backcourt tandem of Denok Miranda and R. R. Garcia delivered the goods in the clutch, combining for 39 points, five rebounds and six assists. Another major contributor was Willie Wilson who compiled six points and six rebounds aside from acting as Calvin Abueva’s primary defender.

Banal declined credit for Barako’s turnaround, paying tribute instead to the entire team for its commitment to work hard and saying the conference is far from over. As for Barako’s defensive success, he pointed to assistant coach Art de la Cruz for making it happen. De la Cruz’ assignment is to take care of Barako’s defense.

Banal said Barako will be even stronger with center Dorian Pena’s return, possibly against Purefoods in Dipolog City on Dec. 6. Pena, 37, sat out the Governors Cup last season with an Achilles injury. He averaged 7.4 points and 7.7 rebounds in 14 games in the previous Philippine Cup.

Barako’s average age is 29.1 years with eight players at least 30 – Mick Pernnisi, 39, Pena, 37, Chico Lanete, 34, Salvador, 34, Wilson, 34, Hubalde, 33, Miranda, 32 and J. C. Intal, 30. Banal, however, has a core of youngblood to mix with the veterans, namely Pascual, 25, Dave Marcelo, 25, Garcia, 24, Carlo Lastimosa, 24, Nico Salva, 24 and Paredes, 22.

Banal has the experience to back up his mission at Barako. He’s won titles in the UAAP with FEU and NCAA with San Beda. Banal has also coached at Arellano, his alma mater, and in the PBL. He was a long-time assistant coach with the Purefoods franchise in the PBA before his transfer to Barako. The Energy’s next games are against Talk ‘N’ Text on Sunday, Blackwater on Wednesday, NLEX on Dec. 2 and Purefoods on Dec. 6.