KINGS ACHING TO REBOUND AS ENERGY GO FOR PIECE OF No. 1
After getting one win virtually on a silver platter, Barako Bull finally gets a real test as the Energy face the Barangay Ginebra Kings in the mainer of a rare Sunday road showcase at the Alonte Sports Arena in Biñan, Laguna.
Barako Bull, with seven-foot import Solomon Alabi, had a relatively easy time winning its first game in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup, hardly tested by an all-Filipino Blackwater side in a 92-70 rout at the Cuneta Astrodome Wednesday night.
Alabi towered above everybody, collecting game highs of 21 points, 22 rebounds and five blocks against a Blackwater team that faced tough matchup problems with import Chris Charles sidelined by a hamstring injury.
Against Ginebra in their 5:15 p.m. tiff, the Energy face a team aching to come out after a sluggish conference debut versus the Meralco Bolts Sunday.
Coming well prepared against Ginebra and highly touted import Mike Dunigan, the Bolts beat the Kings in the mid-season tourney for the first time in the last three years.
“Siguradong gigil bumawi ang Ginebra and we really have to be ready,” said Barako coach Koy Banal. “We did a pretty good job in our first game, but we have to do better against Ginebra.”
For the record, Barako has beaten Ginebra just once in their last eight games dating back to 2013.
Sol Mercado delivered 20 points, three rebounds, three assists and one steal in his first game in a Barako Bull jersey while Chico Lanete and JC Intal combined for 32 markers, eight boards and four assists, helping the team to a triumphant Commissioner’s Cup start after failing to make it past the quarters in the all-Filipino tourney.
“I can’t ask for more from Alabi. He was our ring protector out there, and I like his attitude,” said Banal.
It would surely be a different story now though as Alabi tangles with Dunigan.
Outplayed by Meralco’s Josh Davis the last time, Dunigan should be aching to redeem himself.
Well familiar with the former Air21 reinforcement, Meralco coach Norman Black threw different defensive looks at Dunigan, holding him down to 17 points and 15 rebounds.
Davis, on the other hand, piled up 25 points and 24 rebounds as Meralco drubbed Ginebra, 85-74.
The Bolts also contained the other Ginebra starters in LA Tenorio, Mark Caguioa, Japeth Aguilar and Chris Ellis, spoiling the Kings’ return under the tutelage of coach Ato Agustin.
Outside Dunigan, no other Ginebra starter scored more than six. (SB)
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