BOOSTERS GUN FOR SHARE OF LEAD
Petron Blaze and Barako Bull clash in their first outing in 2014, both looking to pick up from where they left off in their last game in the year just past.
The Boosters are way ahead with an 8-2 win-loss card but they’re still a team trying to establish good rhythm minus injured center June Mar Fajardo.
The Energy are four games-and-a-half down at 4-7, but they have always been a dangerous squad with their grizzled warriors, a number of them so familiar with the Petron team being former Boosters.
Petron is out to regain a share of the lead with Barangay Ginebra San Miguel while Barako Bull seeks solo fifth place as they lock horns in the PLDT myDSL PBA Philippine Cup at 8 p.m. Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Boosters are barely back on track with a 105-91 come-from-behind win over Talk n Text following back-to-back losses to Rain or Shine and Barangay Ginebra.
The Energy had their gains at the end of the 2013 stretch of the all-Filipino tourney, winning two of their last three games over Meralco and GlobalPort.
Their last three losses were all close ones – 88-90 versus San Mig Coffee, 80-87 in overtime against Talk n Text and 95-99 versus Rain or Shine.
And with a complete lineup, Petron Blaze barely turned back Barako Bull, 96-90, in their previous meeting.
In their rematch, Petron coach Gee Abanilla said their adjustments minus Fajardo are still a concern.
“It’s really different without June Mar. We found a way to win against Talk n Text, and hopefully we can build on it. We’re not sure how long June Mar will be out,” Abanilla said.
Barako Bull, as always or whatever the odds would be, will surely come out fighting.
“We expect them to play a very inspired basketball after the win against Talk n Text without Fajardo. We just have to be ready,” said Energy coach Bong Ramos.
In their second game sans their 6-foot-10 behemoth, the Boosters ably held the fort, making an impressive 30-point turnaround before completing a crucial 105-91 win over the Texters on Dec. 29.
The quartet of Marcio Lassiter, Arwind Santos, Chris Lutz and Alex Cabagnot led the Boosters’ tough stand that saw them erase an early 15-point deficit and erect a 15-point lead before eventually stopping their two-game skid as well as the Tropang Texters’ three-game win streak. (SB)
Subscribe to INQUIRER PLUS to get access to The Philippine Daily Inquirer & other 70+ titles, share up to 5 gadgets, listen to the news, download as early as 4am & share articles on social media. Call 896 6000.
