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MANILA, Philippines – Barako Bulls leaned on two triples from Chico Lanete and a jumper from Paolo Hubalde to turn back NLEX, 91-85, and bolster its chances of making the quarterfinal round of the PBA Philippine Cup.
The Energy Cola squandered a 13-point-lead but were able to come back during crunch time, thanks to Lanete and Hubalde.
Barako Bull was trailing NLEX by two points, 85-83, with barely two minutes to go when Lanete knocked down a trey that pushed the Energy ahead, 86-85.
This became a four-point cushion when he rifled another triple that brought the count to 89-85. Hubalde then capped Barako’s run with a jumper and the Road Warriors failed to recover after that.
Lanete finished with 13 points, while Hubalde tallied a total of six points, including the basket that sealed the win.
Solomon Alabi top-scored the Energy Cola with 29 points to go with his 15 rebounds help Barako get off a four-game slump.
Barako improved its record to 5-6 to keep their playoffs hopes alive at sixth place.
Al Thornton led NLEX with 24 points, but was limited to just nine rebounds. Although the Road Warriors fell to 6-5, they are at a safer spot at sixth place.
Only the top eight teams will advance to the quarterfinals after the eliminations phase.
The scores:
Barako Bull 91 — Alabi 29, Lanete 13, Mercado 12, Intal 10, Pascual 10, Garcia 7, Hubalde 6, Lastimosa 2, Marcelo 2, Matias 0, Salvador 0, Salva 0.
NLEX 85 — Thornton 24, Cardona 15, Ramos 9, Taulava 9, Canaleta 8, Lingganay 7, J. Villanueva 5, E. Villanueva 4, Borboran 2, Baloria 0, Camson 0, H. Arboleda 0, W. Arboleda 0.
Quarters: 26-23; 51-49; 72-75; 91-85
Photo: Nuki Sabio/PBA Images
This story was republished with permission from ABS-CBNNews.com
