A DIFFERENT, MORE COMMITTED JC
BARAKO Bull is off to a flying start in the season-ending PBA Governors’ Cup, thanks to veteran wingman JC Intal’s inspired plays early in the conference.
The athletic Intal, who is expecting his first baby with wife Bianca, averaged career-high numbers of 20.5 points and 9.0 rebounds during the Energy’s 2-0 start for the Governors’ Cup.
Energy coach Koy Banal believes Intal’s energetic start has a lot to do with his commitment to improve his game this season.
“Ibang iba ang mindset niya (Intal) coming to this conference kasi even sa practice, he’s going hard,” said Banal, whose team whipped NLEX, 101-96, to kick off its Governors’ Cup campaign, before waylaying Blackwater, 105-90, on Sunday.
The former Ateneo Blue Eagle forward opened the conference with a double-double, registering a PBA career-best 24 points, along with 11 rebounds against the Road Warriors.
Intal actually scored 14 points in the final period, knocking down two crucial three-point shots in that stretch to douse cold water to NLEX’s searing endgame rally.
Banal said Intal’s leadership and all-heart approach in practice has translated to the games so far.
The 31-year-old Intal then scored 17 points, going 7-of-10 from the field and three-of-four from three-point zone in an efficient 19-minute effort.
Intal’s fiery start this conference made him the first Accel-PBA Press Corps. Player of the Week, beating GlobalPort sophomore guard Terrence Romeo.
“Buo yung loob niya saka decisive siya sa gagawin niya,” added the Barako Bull coach.
Barako Bull hopes to keep the winning streak going on Friday when it faces newly-crowned Commissioner’s Cup champion Talk ‘N Text at the Ynares Center in Antipolo. (RD)
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