-
-
-
SERVICES
THE INQUIRER COMPANY
-
-
-
-
04
-
26
-
2024
-
SERVICES
THE INQUIRER COMPANY
04
26
2024
RR GARCIA waxed hot and so did Barako Bull as a whole.
Garcia scored a career-high 26 points and provided the sustaining fire as the Energy gave wrested back the solo leadership in the PBA Governors Cup with a 112-103 win over Rain or Shine Saturday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Liam McMorrow notched 32 points and a gamehigh 25 rebounds and Joseph Yeo continued his fiery form with 19 markers, but it was Garcia making the shots from both inside and out that Barako Bull head coach Koy Banal credited most for the win, his team’s fifth in six games.
It was the best six-game start ever in a conference for the franchise dating back to its Air21 days..
“I’d like to give it to the players, they showed they have character,” said Banal.
“When they tried to stage a comeback in the third (quarter) RR was fantastic. Kapag nag-si-switch sila, he can penetrate or take it from the 3. That shows character,” added Banal.
Indeed, the third year pro mustered 10 points in the period alone on a 4-for-7 field shooting that enabled the Energy to take an 80-73 lead into the final canto.
In all, Garcia, who went into the game averaging just 8.4 points an outing, made 11 of 19 shots, including seven of 12 tries from beyond the arc, and added three rebounds and as many assists.
When the likes of Dylan Ababou, Carlo Lastimosa and McMorrow chipped in, Barako Bull had little trouble stretching the lead to a high of 14 before cruising to the finish.
Ababou added 10 points for the Energy, who drew a listless game from former top local scorer JC Intal. The 6-4 forward saw action for a little over 28 minutes but went 0-of-10 from the field.
Banal maintained Intal did his part. “JC was encouraging his teammates to go on and do what they’re supposed to do. Credit also to JC,” he said.
The victory also bounced Barako back from a 116-113 loss to San Miguel Beer last Wednesday, but Banal pointed out there is little rest for his crew.
“It’s only numbers, but it won’t do us any good if we will remain here. We just have to focus on the task at hand and finish it,” stressed Banal.
The loss, its fourth in five games, dropped Rain or Shine to a share of 10thwith Blackwater and moved it just another defeat away from its worst record under head coach Yeng Guiao the team opened the 2012 Commissioner’s Cup with.
Guiao said his team’s failure to find an antidote for Garcia and Yeo were the critical difference in the game.
“We just couldn’t stop their guards, they played incredible games. We struggled trying to make stops against them. We just gave Yeo and Garcia too many opportunities and their percentages were too high,” said Guiao. “There were lapses in our defense, but they also made some shots that were challenged. So may kahalo na ring luck on their part.”
Wendell McKines wound up with a game-high 41 points to go with 17 boards while Paul Lee added 21 markers. But no other local was able to step up, a fact that became apparent as early as the first half, when the Elasto Painters saw an early 12-point lead vanish.
Behind McKines, Rain or Shine regained the upper hand at 63-57, but that proved to be short-lived as McMorrow, Yeo and Garcia conspired in a swirling attack that gave Barako back the lead and for good. (NC)
The scores:
BARAKO BULL 112 – McMorrow 32, Garcia 26, Yeo 19, Ababou 10, Lastimosa 8, Chua 7, Pascual 6, Lanete 2, Wilson 2, Intal 0, Hubalde 0, Maierhofer 0.
RAIN OR SHINE 103 – McKines 41, Lee 21, Tiu 7, Uyloan 6, Norwood 6, Almazan 6, Cruz Jericho 5, Arana 3, Ibanes 2, Chan 2, Belga 2, Quinahan 2, Tang 0, Cruz Jervy 0.
Quarterscores: 18-27, 52-48, 80-73, 112-103
Follow Us
Other Stories:
Recent Stories:
Complete stories on our Digital Edition newsstand for tablets, netbooks and mobile phones; 14-issue free trial. About to step out? Get breaking alerts on your mobile.phone. Text ON INQ BREAKING to 4467, for Globe, Smart and Sun subscribers in the Philippines.