Energy go on huge 4th quarter run, pound Hotshots

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Barako Bull rebounded strong from a humiliating win by notching a runaway 101-83 triumph over listless Star Sunday to get back in the hunt for a top six slot in the 2016 Smart Bro PBA Philippine Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Josh Urbiztondo scored 24 points to lead a balanced attack by the Energy which steadily gained full steam from late in the third period on, resulting in a lead of as high as 101-80.

In the end, Barako bounced right back from a 92-116 loss to Blackwater last Friday with its fifth win in 10 games. 

Another win against Alaska in their eliminations-ending match on Saturday and the Energy could move among the top six, which will enjoy a twice-to-beat advantage in the first phase of the quarterfinals.

“Our obligation is to give our best every game. We failed to do that against in the game against Blackwater. I think we played our worst this conference in the game versus Blackwater,” said winning coach Koy Banal.

“We also believed that after playing our worst game the best is yet to come. i believe this is our best win.”

Star is coming off a 104-96 win over Mahindra last Sunday, but failed to follow that up after coming up with yet another subpar performance and thus is now at 3-7.

The Hotshots must now win over Blackwater on Friday to ensure they stay among the top 10 teams advancing to the playoffs.

Mark Barroca scored a teamhigh 17 points, but committed what proved to be a very costly foul, while the likes of James Yap and Marc Pingris could only struggle for a combined 22 points.

In contrast, JC Intal bounced back from a four-point game against Blackwater with 18 markers and eight boards, the same numbers posted by Willy Wilson. Jeric Fortuna came off the bench for 14 points like starting center Mick Pennisi.

Intal, Wilson, Pennisi, Urbiztondo and Chico Lanete were the ones Banal credited with firing up Barako during a pep talk on the eve of the game.

“I’ve got to hand it to our veterans. They took that responsibility to lead this team. They were the ones who spoke yesterday na (the loss to Blackwater) is their fault. I’ve got to give credit to our veterans.”

Indeed, the more experienced players among the Energy lived up to their words by prominently figuring in their fightback from as much as a 54-65 deficit, 5:42 left in the third period.

Star was still ahead 67-57 whenh Rodney Brondial connected from underneath and, following a miss by the Hotshots, Urbiztondo boomed in a triple from way out, with Barroca compounding it by being slapped with a flagrant foul 1 for a landing spot rule.

Urbiztondo completed the four-point play and although Barako failed to cash in on its ensuing possession it was clear momentum has shifted to its side.

Jake Pascual’s own short stab with 1:11 left in the quarter kept Star ahead 71-65 but that would prove to be the Hotshots’ only points for the next six minutes.

Urbiztondo scored seven straight points to spark Barako’s decisive charge before Wilson and Fortuna stoked it with some clutch hits. Before the stunned Star fans knew it, their team was already down 73-88.

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TAGS: 2016 Philippine Cup, Barako Bull Energy, Jeric Fortuna, Josh Urbiztondo, koy banal, pba, star hotshots

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