Got a tip? Send it to us at manila@coconuts.co.
MANILA, Philippines – Barako Bull Energy overcame an early double-digit deficit and took charge in the final quarter as they defeated Rain or Shine, 112-103, to recover from their first loss of the PBA Governors Cup Sunday at the Araneta Coliseum.
RR Garcia came off the bench and fired a career-high 26 points to go along with three assists, while import Liam McMorrow had 32 points and 25 rebounds as the Energy bounced back from a loss to San Miguel Beer in their previous game.
“‘Yung Rain or Shine, physical sila, kaya laro lang kami, at kailangan namin silang i-stop, lalo na ang three-point game nila at running game nila,” said Garcia. “Ayun, na-stop namin sila.”
Rain or Shine led by as much as 12 points, 22-10, in the opening quarter with import Wendell McKines leading the way, but Garcia and McMorrow conspired to lead Barako in a comeback in the second period.
Veteran guard Chico Lanete’s triple with a little over a minute to go gave Barako a 50-48 lead, which they extended to 52-48 heading into the halftime break.
Rain or Shine regained control in the third period as McKines continued his scoring tear, while Paul Lee and Raymond Almazan also contributed to the Elasto Painters’ cause.
But McMorrow and Joseph Yeo helped Barako overhaul the deficit, and the import’s three-point play with 5:52 to go allowed the Energy to take the lead for good, 66-65. Barako extended the lead to seven points, 80-73, heading into the final frame.
“They have character,” said Barako coach Koy Banal after seeing how his players recovered from the deficit. “Si RR and si Joseph, especially in the third quarter, nagkaroon ng comeback. They were trying to come back in the game in the third.”
“Si RR was fantastic. Siya naman ang fantastic ngayon,” added Banal, praising the former Far Eastern University’s star ability to react to what the defense was giving to him.
Barako went on to lead by as much as 14 points in the final period, though a late run led by Paul Lee allowed Rain or Shine to make it a seven-point game, 95-102, with still 4:29 to go.
McMorrow responded with a bucket, and Garcia drilled a three-pointer to put the lead to double-digits again, 107-95, and Barako went on to cruise to the victory.
Yeo finished with 19 points and six assists in another solid performance for Barako. JC Intal, who has cooled down after a blazing start to the conference, missed all 10 of his field goal attempts but was commended by Banal for his leadership.
Thanks in part to McMorrow’s efforts, Barako dominated RoS on the boards, 58-45, and held the E-Painters to 44% shooting, including a shade under 23% from the three.
The Energy now have a 5-1 win-loss record, half a game ahead of idle Alaska.
McKines finished with 41 points and 17 rebounds for RoS, but Lee was the only other Elasto Painter in double digits with 21.
Veterans Gabe Norwood (six points) and Beau Belga (two points) struggled on the offensive end, as Rain or Shine dropped to 1-4 in the conference.
This story was republished with permissions from ABS-CBNnews.com.
