Barako Bull whips Air21

Barako Bull got 16 points from Mark Isip and held Air21 to 11 second-quarter points on the way to an easy 88-75 victory over Air21 in the PLDT MyDSL PBA Philippine Cup eliminations at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Three others tossed in 10 points or more and all 13 players scored for the Energy, who earned a lot of pre-tournament flak because of what many felt were ridiculous trades during Draft Day.

And coach Bong Ramos, finally getting the chance to talk to the media in the customary winning coach’s interview with Rajko Toroman dismissed before the start of the tournament, was quick to defend the team for those decisions.

“Those trades were part of the (preseason) plan,” Ramos said. “The plan was to get tried and tested players.”

From a 22-17 lead at the end of the first, the Energy scooted away to 48-28 lead at the half, later bloating this to 33 late in the third period as the Express never recovered.

“Going into the game, I was already expecting a positive result (win),” Ramos added. “There’s still a long way to go. But this will be the character of this team. I can see that we will be able to pull off a lot of surprises.”

Joseph Yeo scored 22 points and KG Canaleta fired 18 to pace the Express, who had a 3-1 record in the preseason but played their first game here with Mac Cardona in the injured list.

Asi Taulava wound up with 10 points and 16 rebounds for the Express.

The scores:

First Game

BARAKO BULL 88—Isip 16, Buenafe 11, Macapagal 10, Miranda 10, Intal 9, Jensen 8, Villanueva 6, Wilson 4, Miller 4, Pennisi 4, Fortuna 2, Marcelo 2, Pena 2.

AIR21 75—Yeo 22, Canaleta 18, Taulava 10, Ritualo 7, Sharma 6, Custodio 5, Menor 4, Camson 2, Espiritu 1, Burstcher 0, Arboleda 0, Manuel 0.

Quarters: 22-17, 48-28, 75-44, 88-75.