Chris Lutz of Petron (light) vs Dorian Pena of Barako Bull (dark). PBA IMAGE by Nuki Sabio
MANILA, Philippines—Barako Bull stunned Petron Blaze, 92-88, in the 2014 PLDT myDSL Philippine Cup Wednesday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Dorian Peña scored 18 points and grabbed 10 rebounds while JC Intal shot six of his 17 points in the fourth quarter to help the Energy pick up their fifth win in 12 games.
“As I said we would continue to surprise teams. We’re lucky because June Mar did not play,” said Barako Bull coach Bong Ramos.
“I want to thank the players for pushing themselves to be able to pull off another upset.”
A one-handed dunk by JC Intal after a near steal by Marcio Lassiter and a mad scramble for the loose ball extended Barako Bull’s lead to three, 91-89, with 27.1 seconds left.
The Boosters, who now share second place with the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters with an 8-3 record, had the chance to tie but Chris Lutz’s 3-pointer from the right corner was waived off as he has yet to establish position when he caught the pass coming from Alex Cabagnot and was called for stepping at the sideline with 13.5 ticks left.
Denok Miranda was fouled and made one-of-two at the line with 7.9 seconds to go to seal the win.
Willie Miller only had seven points but drained a clutch jumper that put the Energy up four, 89-85, with 53.0 ticks left after Lassiter was wiped out by a solid screen by Peña that freed the veteran guard.
“It (the play) was really for Dorian Peña but Peña set a good screen that got Miller wide open,” recalled Ramos.
Lutz had 17 points while Cabagnot and reigning MVP Arwind Santos had 15 apiece for the Boosters, who are now 1-2 without their star center June Mar Fajardo.
The six-foot-10 Fajardo, who has yet to return after sustaining a right knee injury, was in uniform and sat alongside his teammates on the bench.