JAY R. GOTERA
Saudi Gazette
MANILA — The Barako Bull Energy razed a 21-point deficit to trample on the Barangay Ginebra Kings, 82-79, Saturday night for their first win in two games in the PBA Philippine Cup at the Mall of Asia Arena.
The Energy stole the Kings’ never-say-die mantra, using it to come back from the grave behind the outstanding plays of JC Intal, RR Garcia and Chico Lanete.
Intal banged in a team-high 22 points while Garcia scored 16, including 10 in the fourth quarter. His fastbreak layup after a steal with three minutes left gave the Energy a seven-point lead, 80-73, that was good enough to foil a Kings’ comeback.
Ginebra’s LA Tenorio gave Ginebra fans a reason to keep their flickering hopes alive when he drilled a triple to cut Barako Bull’s lead to 80-79 with 12.5 seconds left.
After Garcia canned in a pair of free throws, the Kings still have a chance to send the game into overtime with a three-pointer, but Mark Caguioa lost possession while about to pull up for a triple for a turnover to dash the Kings’ hopes.
The defeat kept coach Tim Cone’s squad winless in two games ahead of their match against the league-leading Alaska Aces Saturday in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
The loss spoiled another brilliant performance by Ginebra’s Greg Slaughter who led all scorers with 27 points.
The early favorite Talk N Text Tropang Texters pulled themselves back from the brink of defeat to squeak past the Mahindra Enforcers, 101-97, for their first win in two games.
With Ranidel de Ocampo out due to injury, the Texters found themselves trailing the Enforcers before Jayson Castro took over to rescue his beleaguered team. Castro finished with 28 points, including nine in the decisive fourth quarter. The top rookie duo of Moala Tautuaa and Troy Rosario finally showed their worth, posting 12 points apiece.
LA Revilla led the Enforcers with 21 points while rookie Bradwyn Guinto continued to make heads turn as he tallied 17 points and 13 boards. But the duo’s brilliance was not enough to stop Mahindra from falling to its second straight defeat.
The Enforcers were up by three points entering the fourth frame, but the Texters took the lead for good when Castro knocked in a jumper with less than six minutes left.
But the Enforcers kept fighting back and even had a chance to steal the game only for Nino Canaleta to miss a hurried three-pointer in the final seconds.
Games Wednesday: Blackwater Elite vs. Meralco Bolts and San Miguel Beermen vs. Rain or Shine Elasto Painters.
