VIRTUAL LAST STAND FOR ENERGY, ELITE
BY ITS own admission, Barako Bull has been brought crashing back from cloud nine in a very big way.
How the Energy rebound would be the biggest question when they tangle with Blackwater Wednesday in the PBA Philippine Cup at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.
A win by Barako would greatly enhance its chances of being included among the 10 teams advancing to the playoffs.
Blackwater, on the other hand, simply wants to notch that breakthrough win, a possibility that should grow dimmer considering its last two elimination round matches.
After Wednesday, the Elite next take on Talk N Text and San Miguel Beer.
Knowing how that determination should spur Blackwater’s game to new heights nags at Barako coach Koy Banal. But not as much as his own team’s game following a 106-122 thrashing from TNT last Sunday.
“We’re back to earth, another lesson learned,” said Banal after seeing his Energy’s winning ways cut short at two.
“We’re trying to get back our rhythm since yesterday and hopefully we’ll be ready tomorrow,” added Banal.
Banal also did not bother to say out loud what goes through the minds of majority of league observers, that the Blackwater game could be practically the last chance as well for Barako. The Energy’s last assignments are against NLEX and Purefoods Star.
Blackwater is also coming off a 104-84 loss to NLEX last Friday in a game wherein the Elite simply had nothing to match the Road Warriors’ deeper arsenal.
Barako’s loss to TNT is eerily similar as the Energy fell behind by as many as 29 points when it could not keep pace with the Tropang Texters’ torrid shooting while missing 13 free throws.
Should Barako’s guns misfire anew, the stifling defense it showed in a breakthrough win over Kia followed by an 85-78 upset of erstwhile unbeaten Alaska must resurface for Banal’s charges to have a chance. (NC)
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.
