BARAKO BULL CLIMBS OUT OF CELLAR
KIA playing coach Manny Pacquiao is poised to fly his entire team to Macau to personally watch his WBO welterweight title bout with Chris Algieri next Sunday.
That announcement did not have the desired effect and seemed to have fired up Barako Bull instead.
The Energy rode on rookie Jake Pascual’s career game to finally crash the win-column with an 87-71 victory over the freefalling Sorento Sunday in the PBA Philippine Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
“They (Kia) are saying coach Manny has been good to them and they want to give something back. Parang nag-stick sa mind ng mga players ko,” related Barako Bull head coach Koy Banal in his first post-game interview appearance.
“Parang naging motivation ng players, ‘Not tonight,’” added Banal.
Nobody typified the Energy’s resolve even more than Pascual, the No. 8 draft pick overall who notched 22 points and 12 rebounds with the bulk of his points coming in the early goings and giving his team the hot start it wanted.
“His positive attitude and experience in the amateur days came to the fore today,” said Banal of the former San Beda College standout who just turned 23 last Thursday. “He came out really strong and he held his own against (Reil) Cervantes, especially down the stretch.”
Cervantes wound up with 15 points on a 5-for-15 field shooting and gave up team scoring honors to LA Revilla, who scored 21.
With the likes of Willy Wilson, Paolo Hubalde, JC Intal and Mick Pennisi leading the balanced assault, Barako Bull took full control in the third quarter and even posted an 80-61 spread, only 3:32 left in the game.
The win was the Energy’s first in six games as it moved up to 10th-running spot, while relegating the Sorento to 11th with their sixth straight loss in seven games.
Barako Bull could keep said slot and nail the last quarterfinals berth if it wins over Blackwater in their Nov. 26 meeting and the Elite and Sorento lose all their remaining games.
Banal would rather trust his team’s destiny on its own hands, beginning with their next game against unbeaten leader Alaska on Wednesday.
“Sana gamitin naming itong springboard for our remaining games,” said Banal. “Next is Alaska, medyo mahirap. Pero walang imposible. Everything is possible.” (NC)
The scores:
BARAKO BULL 87 – Pascual 22, Wilson 11, Miranda 9, Lanete 8, Garcia 7, Pennisi 6, Lastimosa 5, Intal 5, Marcelo 5, Hubalde 4, Paredes 3, Salvador 2, Pena 0, Silva 0.
KIA 71 – Revilla 21, Cervantes 15, Alvarez 8, Webb 6, Jaime 5, Buensuceso 4, Lingganay 3, Pascual 3, Padilla 2, Dehesa 2, Thiele 1, Sanga 1, Ighalo 0, Alonzo 0, Raymundo 0.
Quarterscores: 22-14, 46-39, 66-53, 87-71
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