2015-16 PBA PH Cup Preview: Barako Bull Energy vs Mahindra Enforcers
Barako Bull forward JC Intal skies for a layup. Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
Both Barako Bull and Mahindra are coming off important wins, and both are certainly gunning to win again to sustain the momentum they have gained and move up in the team standings.
Barako Bull had to rally in the final quarter and had to withstand the 40 points of Gary David to book their second win of the tournament against Meralco. The Energy drew big games from their backcourt tandem of Josh Urbiztondo and RR Garcia, and they will surely figure prominently again in this game against the Enforcers, who feature solid playmaker LA Revilla.
Speaking of Revilla, he will be expected to spearhead the Enforcers’ attack here, and they should be in high spirits after trouncing the NLEX Road Warriors. Five Enforcers scored in double-figures to prop up Mahindra’s victory over NLEX. The Enforecers will be looking for their second win here, which should move them into the middle of the pack in the league table
- THE FIREBALL IGNITES!
Josh Urbiztondo had been having a less than stellar performance this season before he ignited for 24 points against Meralco. That’s his highest scoring total since the 2012-2013 season, and he will surely attract a lot of defenders in this game with his potentially high shooting percentage from the outside. If he gets hot again, Barako should be in good shape to win.
Urbiztondo last game: 24pts, 3rebs, 2asts, 3stls, 4 triples, 10/17 FGs
Urbiztondo 1st 3 games: 4.7ppg, 1.3rpg, 1/8 3pts
- WILLY WILSON’S WAR
Willy Wilson has been having a splendid season so far for Barako, and it continued against Meralco when he put up great numbers anew. Wilson has shown that he can really play at an elite level on both ends of the floor, and it’ll be interesting to see if he can do that again here against the long and lanky pair of Aldrech Ramos and KG Canaleta.
Last game: 17pts, 8rebs, 5asts, 8/9 FGs
1st 3 games: 12.0ppg, 10.7rpg, 2.7apg, 1.0spg, 38.5 FG%
- BARAKO: TURNING DEFENSE INTO OFFENSE
Barako did a very good job on defense against Meralco even if Gary David lit them up for 40 points. Barako was able to compensate for this by forcing 19 Meralco turnovers and scoring 18 points off these errors. The Energy have been one of the better defensive teams so far this season, and if their D is on point again today, Mahindra will be in big trouble.
Turnovers last game: Barako 8, Meralco 19
Pts off TOs last game: Barako 18, Meralco 7
- PAYBACK IS SWEET
Former NLEX players Aldrech Ramos and KG Canaleta were able to gain a bit of payback on their old team when they played well in helping Mahindra notch its first win of the season. That duo paired up for 28 points, 11 rebounds, and 4 treys for Mahindra, and if they can do that again here against Barako, they will give the Energy’s defense all sorts of headaches.
Ramos last game: 14pts, 6rebs, 1ast, 1stl, 2 triples, 6/9 FGs
Canaleta last game: 14pts, 5rebs, 1ast, 1stl, 2 triples
- LA REVILLA: LEADERSHIP PERSONIFIED
LA Revilla didn’t have an explosive offensive outing against NLEX, but he was splendid in distributing the basketball and playing tight defense. He outplayed opposing PGs Simon Enciso and Jonas Villanueva, and was able to display unparalleled leadership in steering the Enforcers to the W. He has been the heart and soul of this team so far, and he is expected to play that role again today against the Energy.
Last game: 13pts, 7asts, 2stls, 2 triples
Stats: 16.8ppg, 3.8rpg, 5.5apg, 2.0spg, 2.0 triples per game, 36.4 3pt%
- MAHINDRA: DEFENSE HOLDS
Mahindra’s defense held solidly against NLEX, forcing a dozen Road Warrior turnovers and holding them to just 43.7% FG shooting. More importantly, Mahindra also didn’t allow anyone from NLEX’s supporting cast to explode, as only Asi Taulava and Sean Anthony scored in double-figures.
Last game FG%: Mahindra 48.2%, NLX 43.7%
Last game TOs: Mahindra 9, NLEX 12
*Nobody outside of Asi Taulava and Sean Anthony scoring in double digits
- KEY MATCH-UP: JC INTAL X KG CANALETA
Both have been known as high leapers, but they have also modified their games to better fit the characters of their respective teams. Intal has added a dangerous perimeter game to his athletic repertoire, while KG remains one of the most dangerous stretch forwards in the league.
Intal stats: 16.0ppg, 5.0rpg, 1.8apg, 1.8 triples per game, 40.0 FG%
KG stats: 11.0ppg, 5.3rpg, 1.0 triple per game, 36.2 FG%
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