ACID TEST FOR ENERGY
The Barako Bull Energy weren’t supposed to be here.
But they are.
Up there among the leaders early in the 2015 PBA Commissioner’s Cup, the Energy have been the surprise of the conference, winning their first three games.
“It has been a long time since the franchise won three consecutive games,” said Barako Bull coach Koy Banal.
Beating Blackwater, Kia and Barangay Ginebra in their first three outings, the Energy have established themselves up there on the leaderboard behind the efforts of import Solomon Alabi, Sol Mercado and a slew of role players.
But for Banal, the biggest difference in their good start could be traced to their preparation.
“We started the right way. We had a luxury of establishing ourselves in both ends. Malaking bagay ‘yun to a coach eh,” he said.
However, continuing that streak would be a tough one, as they will be pressed against Talk ‘N Text on Friday at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.
“It’s going to be an acid test for us,” Banal said.
Barako Bull has been on the losing end of their recent matchups with the Tropang Texters, with the latest coming in the quarterfinals of the Philippine Cup where they got routed, 105-76.
Banal said, “That’s all I’m asking from the players: make it close. We suffered a couple of blowouts before and I’m hoping na this time around, we’ll be a little closer and hopefully, get the win in the end.”
Game time is at 4:15 p.m.
Talk ‘N Text, meanwhile, will be aiming to stop their bleeding after tasting its first loss at the hands of sister squad Meralco. (RL)
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