WINDING UP
THEIR last time out, Barako Bull and Air21 failed to close out the game and dearly paid for it.
Which of the teams has learned its lesson would be known Friday when they collide in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
Gametime is at 5:15 p.m.
A win by the Energy Cola gives them a slot alongside second-running Petron Blaze while the Express are bidding to join Talk N Text, also idle at third.
First, a lot of work has to be put in.
Barako Bull lost its share of the lead when it absorbed a 73-77 loss to Alaska last Sunday in a game where the Energy Cola failed to buy a single point in the last minute.
Air21 also waged a gallant stand against heavily-favored TNT last Friday, fighting back from a 22-point third quarter-deficit and pulling within 81-82. But like the Aces the Tropang Texters managed to make the necessary stops.
Understandably, Air21 coach Franz Pumaren doesn’t want a repeat of his charges falling into an early deep hole.
“We cannot afford to have a flat start,” said Pumaren. “Barako is like a new team in terms of players and a new system. They’ve been playing well, especially their guards. Hopefully, we can slow them down.”
Air21 and Barako played two tuneup games, each coming out with a split, so Pumaren knows whereof he speaks.
So do Energy Cola coach Bong Ramos and active consultant Rajko Toroman, when they chorused: “It will be tough. They are a good team.”
Playmakers Josh Urbiztondo and Jonas Villanueva have indeed been playing splendidly for Barako while Evan Brock is sure to rebound from a relatively subpar performance against Alaska. He hauled down 15 rebounds then but only scored 12 points, nine below his average.
A bounce-back is also expected from Air21 import Michael Dunigan, who scored 19 points but got held down to only seven rebounds by TNT’s box-out tactics, while KG Canaleta is sure to be a marked man after scoring 20 of his 23 points in the fourth quarter versus the Texters. (NC)
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