NICO Salva of Barako Bull runs into Eddie Laure of Blackwater during last night’s game. AUGUST DELA CRUZ
ANTIPOLO—Barako Bull formally clinched a place in the playoffs while eliminating newcomer Blackwater with a 97-82 rout last night in the PBA Philippine Cup at Ynares Center here.
The Energy held the Elite to a paltry nine points in the first period and played with complete command all night in eventually rising to 3-6.
Blackwater lost a ninth straight game after trailing by as many as 25 points in the third period.
The only consolation that the Elite earned for taking an early exit is gaining the privilege of fielding an import of unlimited height in the next conference, the Commissioner’s Cup.
“We did a good job defensively,” Barako Bull coach Koy Banal said. “The energy that the guys brought into the game made all the difference for us.
“I just hope that we can use this (win) as a springboard for our last two games (in the eliminations) against NLEX and Purefoods.”
Barako Bull remained in 10th place and, should the playoffs start tomorrow, will draw the No. 3 team—which in this case is Rain or Shine—needing to defeat the rock-solid Elasto Painters twice to make the next phase of the quarterfinals.
Victories in their last two games could give the Energy a higher finish, but not necessarily a twice-to-beat advantage since defending champion Purefoods, which is in sixth spot, already has four wins with four games left.
RR Garcia, the point guard acquired from Globalport at the start of the season, and Carlo Lastimosa scored 16 points each to pace the Energy.
The KIA Sorento, who welcomed back playing coach Manny Pacquiao against Purefoods at presstime, also need a win in order to keep their flickering playoff hopes alive.
The scores:
BARAKO BULL 97—Garcia 16, Lastimosa 16, Pascual 13, Miranda 9, Intal 9, Pennisi 9, Salva 6, Lanete 6, Marcelo 5, Wilson 4, Salvador 2, Paredes 2, Hubalde 0.
BLACKWATER 82—Faundo 23, Heruela 19, Nuyles 12, Gamalinda 8, Laure 6, Menor 4, Timberlake 3, Erram 2, Rodriguez 2, Ballesteros 2, Celiz 1, Tiongson 0, Artadi 0, Austria 0.
Quarters: 22-9, 41-30, 72-48, 97-82