Barako Bull leaned on its experience to post its second straight win at the expense of Mahindra, 93-85, in an out-of-town clash in the 2015 Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup at the Alonte Sports Arena in Binan, Laguna last night.
RR Garcia showcased his offensive repertoire by scoring a career-high 26 points on 10-of-14 shooting, and three rebounds to backstop the Energy while JC Intal also had a splendid game with 20 points of his own.
Barako Bull coach Koy Banal praised Garcia in his coming-out party.
‘’RR (Garcia) is smart and he can do whatever it is you ask from him. I like his skills. I am thankful we’re not playing against him,’’ said Banal.
The prolific offensive duo proved to be vital throughout as their scoring allowed Barako Bull to keep Mahindra at bay.
The two-game winning streak allowed the Energy to move up to sixth place with its 3-2 mark while the Enforcers, after finally listing a win in its last game, was sent back to earth and dropped to 1-4 at 11th place.
Banal said his team’s desire to keep its place in the standings was a good motivation for this victory.
‘’We want to be above .500 and now we are with this win. We reminded the players before the game about that and they were reminded to just keep going and keep working hard.’’
Slowly but surely, the Energy, behind Intal’s leadership and scoring, built a comfortable cushion with a series of spurts in the first half and carried a 48-41 advantage.
In the third, Barako Bull erected several 10-point leads in the period, and with a 69-59 spread heading the final 12 minutes of action.
After its lead fluctuated from around six to ten points in the early part of the fourth, Barako Bull delivered the finishing punch on Garcia’s 7-0 personal run midway the payoff period to put Mahindra away for good.
Garcia’s back-to-back lay-up followed by a three-point play gave Barako Bull a comfortable 78-65 advantage with exactly six minutes remaining and the Energy was never threatened until the final horn.
Mark Yee was the high-point man for Mahindra with his double-double performance of 17 points and 14 rebounds while LA Revilla had 14.
After shining in the Enforcers’ last game, veterans KG Canaleta and Aldrech Ramos were both checked and struggled all game long, managing for a combined 11 points.
Meanwhile, struggling teams Barangay Ginebra and Meralco are currently figuring in a battle as of this report as both of them are in dire need of a win to avoid being in a deeper hole.
The scores:
BARAKO 93 – Garcia 26, Intal 20, Wilson 11, Baracael 9, Pennisi 6, Monfort 5, Lanete 4, Miranda 3, Urbiztondo 3, Andrada 2, Caperal 2, Sorongon 2, Fortuna 0.
MAHINDRA 85 – Yee 17, Revilla 14, Jaime 9, Dehesa 7, Hubalde 6, Pascual 6, Ramos 6, Webb 6, Canaleta 5, Guinto 4, Alvarez 2, Laure 2, Bagatsing 1, Pinto 0.
Quarters: 22-18, 48-41, 69-59, 93-85
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