-
-
-
SERVICES
THE INQUIRER COMPANY
-
-
-
-
04
-
18
-
2024
-
SERVICES
THE INQUIRER COMPANY
04
18
2024
Barako Bull guard RR Garcia.
Ryan Roose Garcia can sure pick some fine time to shine.
Garcia cranked his game up just when Barako Bull needed him to as he led the Energy to a 93-85 victory over Mahindra Tuesday in the Smart Bro-PBA Philippine Cup at Alonte Sports Complex in Biñan, Laguna.
JC Intal and Willy Wilson did their part, but it was Garcia scattering 16 of his career-high-tying 26 points in the fourth period that keyed the Energy’s surge to a second straight win in five games.
“At the start of the game we want to be above .500,” related Barako coach Koy Banal, whose charges started the season-opening tourney at 1-2 but are now at sixth-running spot, well within the top 10 teams advancing to the playoffs.
“Now that we’re above .500 the reminder is just to keep going, keep on working hard, doing the things that we’re doing from Day One and that is working hard in practice. Iyun ang Barako Bull way,” added Banal. “If we will put effort day in and day out not only in games but in practice sky’s the limit. We’re 3-2. We hope we can sustain that.”
Mark Yee had 17 points and a career-best 20 rebounds while LA Revilla finished with 12 points, five rebounds and four assists, but they were the only bright spots for Mahindra.
As a result, the Enforcers were foiled in their bid to follow up their breakthrough 103-93 triumph over NLEX last Friday and dropped to a 1-4 win-loss slate overall.
Mahindra could pin the blame on itself as it made just 31-of-84 field goal tries, including a measly 3-for-24 from three-point line, that offset the Enforcers’ 59-44 advantage off the boards.
Intal scored 20 points and Wilson notched his second double-double of the tourney with 11 points and 13 rebounds.
Josh Urbiztondo, who scored 24 points in a 108-106 upset of Meralco last Sunday, tweaked his left leg with just 59 seconds gone in the fourth period while Rodney Brondial, acquired from Ginebra for Jervy Cruz and the Kings’ 2018 second round pick in a trade approved Monday, was not utilized as Banal wanted to fully integrate the former Adamson forward to his system first.
Their services were hardly needed when winning time came as Garcia made 10 of his 14 field goal attempts while repeatedly shredding the defense with an assortment of penetrations and jumpers.
“I’m thankful we’re not against him,” said Banal. “He’s very smart, he can do whatever you’re asking him to do. I like his skills.”
The No. 6 overall pick in the 2013 draft was especially hot after Mahindra came back from a 57-69 deficit and threatened to make a game of it by trimming the difference to just 65-71.
Scoring mostly on drives, the former UAAP MVP strung up 11 straight points that pushed Barako ahead 82-69. His third triple of the game made it a 91-81 count and practically wrapped it up for the Energy with still 1:20 to go.
Intal and Mac Baracael kept Barako’s head above water earlier on, with the latter scoring seven of his nine points in the last 2:20 of the third period that gave the Energy as much as a 69-59 cushion.
Intal, meanwhile, already had 16 in the first three quarters, including nine in the first half that propped Barako’s surge to a 48-41 lead.
The scores:
BARAKO 93 – Garcia 26, Intal 20, Wilson 11, Baracael 9, Pennisi 6, Monfort 5, Lanete 4, Miranda 3, Urbiztondo 3, Andrada 2, Caperal 2, Sorongon 2, Fortuna 0.
MAHINDRA 85 – Yee 17, Revilla 14, Jaime 9, Dehesa 7, Hubalde 6, Pascual 6, Ramos 6, Webb 6, Canaleta 5, Guinto 4, Alvarez 2, Laure 2, Bagatsing 1, Pinto 0.
Quarters: 22-18, 48-41, 69-59, 93-85
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.
