Out-of-town shocker: Barako Bull sends Ginebra down the cellar
The Barako Bull Energy scored a handsome victory early in the 2015 PBA Commissioner’s Cup as they defeated the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings 69-68, Sunday night in Biñan, Laguna.
Barako Bull was shaky down the stretch but they were able to pull off one last stop to deal Ginebra its second straight loss of the conference.
Down by six points with 1:26 left in the game, Ginebra finally displayed some semblance of their of never-say-die attitude.
Joseph Yeo refused to give up on the Kings as he stole the ball twice from Sol Mercado, turning these into a fast break layup and a triple to trim Barako Bull’s lead down to a single point at 69-68 with still 39 seconds left.
The Kings then completed two key stops as they stymied Barako Bull’s offense with active man-to-man defense.
Ginebra got one last shot to steal the game with six seconds left in the clock. They went to Yeo once more but his triple attempt was long to hand Barako Bull the victory.
Chico Lanete was the Best Player of the Game with 17 points, two assists, and three steals. He shot 8 of 16 from the field.
Greg Slaughter led Ginebra with 18 points while Mike Dunigan, who was still recovering from a bum stomach, chipped in 11 points.
Like their first game, LA Tenorio and Japeth Aguilar struggled for Ginebra as they combined for only six points in the contest.
Barako Bull started the game by outscoring Ginebra 7-1 in the first quarter. With import Solomon Alabi scoring with two dunks later in the quarter, the Energy were able to hold on to a 15-12 lead after the first 12 minutes.
With Greg Slaughter imposing his will inside the paint, the Kings gained control of the ball game in the second quarter as they led 34-28 at the break.
Barako Bull went on an 11-4 run during the first six minutes of the third quarter to take 39-38 lead.
The game heated up late in the third quarter as Michael Dunigan was called for an offensive foul on Jake Pascual. The fired up Dunigan then kicked his foot loose as it was entangled with Pascual’s legs. The Ginebra import exchanged words with Sol Mercado and both were called for technical fouls.
JC Intal scored eight points in the third quarter alone as Barako Bull battled Ginebra to a deadlock, 50-50, heading into the final quarter.
Barako Bull built a six point lead early in the fourth, 60-54. The Kings quickly cut their deficit to a single point but Lanete spear-headed a 7-0 blast for the Energy as they claimed a 67-59 lead with 3:02 left.
With another biter loss creeping in, LA Tenorio showed up as he assisted Mark Caguioa for a basket, stole the ball from Lanete and score on a layup to cut their deficit down to four with two minutes left.
However, Mercado calmed down Barako as he scored on a fast break layup with 1:26 left for a 69-63 count in their favor.
The Main Man: Lanete did not only score crucial baskets for Barako Bull. He also had a huge steal off Dunigan which helped Barako Bull build a big enough lead.
Honorable Mention: JC Intal was a huge factor in the game specially in the third quarter. His scoring kept Barako Bull in the game to set up Lanete’s heroics.
Game Turning Point: Barako Bull’s defense bothered Ginebra enough in the last play to force them to take a three-point shot even though they were only down by a single point. The Energy had a rocky finish but their defense held strong when it mattered the most
Next Games:
Ginebra versus San Miguel Beermen on Feb. 8 at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum
Barako Bull versus KIA on Feb. 8 at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum
The scores:
BARAKO 69 - Lanete 17, Intal 14, Alabi 13, Marcelo 11, Mercado 7, Garcia 5, Lastimosa 1, Pascual 1.
GINEBRA 68 - Slaughter 18, Dunigan 11, Caguioa 10, Baracael 8, Yeo 7, Urbiztondo 5, Tenorio 4, Mamaril 3, Aguilar 2.
Quarter scores: 15-12, 28-34, 50-50, 69-68.
