EXPERIENCE OVER YOUTH
During the 2013 PBA Rookie Draft, Barako Bull Energy came under fire from some quarters for sending their draft picks to teams in exchange for veteran players. Though the moves didn’t really appeal to others, it was the management’s discretion that they bank on solid role players in comparison to untested rookies.
One of the trade partners Barako Bull had that day was GlobalPort. The Batang Pier acquired the fifth and sixth picks, used for Terrence Romeo and RR Garcia, in exchange for Denok Miranda, Mark Isip, and Magi Sison.
Almost two months after, the two teams squared off, and to the surprise of many, it seems like Barako Bull was the one who benefitted more in the deal.
The Energy used a strong fourth-quarter to send GlobalPort to its third straight defeat courtesy of a 108-95 victory Sunday in the 2014 PLDT myDSL-PBA Philippine Cup at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Curiously, it was Miranda who top-scored for Barako Bull, leading six players who cracked the double-digits with his 19 points, consistently logging at least four points in every quarter, to go with his six boards, and five assists.
Dorian Pena was also stellar in the win, tallying a double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds, while Mick Pennisi had 14 markers, none more important than his 800th career three-pointer at the 7:21 mark of the third period.
Rookie Carlo Lastimosa sizzled with 12, while Keith Jensen and Mark Isip combined for 21 points.
“We came from a hard loss against Rain or Shine na panalo na kami, natalo pa. Sabi ko lang, it’s all part of the game. Let’s approach the new year with a bang and win this game,” said Barako Bull head coach Bong Ramos.
It was a nip-and-tuck battle until the fourth quarter when JC Intal and Lastimosa opened the period with an 8-0 run to give the Energy some breathing room, 88-79. Romeo, Jay Washington, and Sol Mercado all tried to revive the Batang Pier, getting themselves to as close as four, 91-87, but Willie Miller shut the door on GlobalPort as he scored the next four points, extending the lead for Barako Bull.
“The players responded very well. In all our games, we’re always considered as the underdog, and today’s game for me is still an upset. At least we finished 2013 with a win,” Ramos said.
Barako Bull improved to 4-7 while GlobalPort dropped to 4-6.
Washington joined the 4,000-point club with a game-high and career-high-tying 30 points alongside his nine rebounds for the Batang Pier but he was held scoreless in the final 9:04 of the game.
Romeo had 16 for the night, while Mercado added 12 markers for the Batang Pier who were outscored from the free-throw line 30-15. (RL)
The scores:
BARAKO BULL 108 – Miranda 19, Pena 15, Pennisi 14, Lastimosa 12, Jensen 11, Isip 10, Intal 9, Miller 7, Macapagal 6, Maierhofer 3, Wilson 2, Buenafe 0.
GLOBALPORT 95 – Washingon 30, Romeo 16, Mercado 12, Garcia 8, Nabong 7, Hayes 6, Yee 4, Chua 4, Salva 4, Lingganay 2, Menk 2, Revilla 0, Salvador 0.
Quarterscores: 21-29, 50-49, 82-79, 108-95.
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