Barako notches second straight win, keeps Blackwater winless

Liam Paul McMorrow of Barako (light) vs Jason Ballestero of Blackwater (dark). PBA PHOTO

BARAKO steamrolled the humbled Blackwater, 105-90, to start its PBA Governor’s Cup with two consecutive wins Sunday afternoon at Smart-Araneta Coliseum.

Blackwater barely got out of the starting gate managing only 11 points while the Energy waxed hot with 32 points.

Never did the Elite find a way as their poor start followed them like a plague.

Energy head coach Koy Banal said they had to respect Blackwater even as the Elite got humbled in their first two games in consecutive blowouts.

“I thought we did a good job at respecting our opponents,” Banal said. “I gave emphasis on the right attitude, respecting them.”

“We cannot just go in there and think that they will lie down and give them the ball.”

Barako were controlling everything on the floor and they took a commanding 12-0 run through the last two quarters to take a 91-65 lead.

From the post to the transition lane, the Energy were relentless as they powered through to 64 points in the paint and 25 points in the break.

Blackwater only managed 40 points in the post and 15 points in transition.

Banal said his import Liam McMorrow has to rub off his energy on his teammates and the coach was impressed with his team.

“Liam’s energy need to rub off on his teammates,” Banal said.

McMorrow had 23 points and 15 boards to lead while Carlo Lastimosa and JC Intal had 18 and 17 points apiece.

Marcus Douthit led the 0-3 Blackwater had 21 points and 13 boards.

The scores:

BARAKO BULL 105 — McMorrow 23, Lastimosa 18, Intal 17, Yeo 8, Maierhofer 7, Hubalde 6, Garcia 4, Pascual 4, Lanete 4, Wilson 4, Sorongon 4, Ababou 3, Chua 2, Forrester 1, Salva 0.

BLACKWATER 90 — Douthit 21, Erram 12, Heruela 12, Gamalinda 12, Cervantes 9, Salvacion 9, Ballesteros 4, Celiz 3, Bulawan 3, Acuna 3, Reyes 2, Timberlake 0, Laure 0.

Quarters: 32-11; 55-42; 87-65; 105-90.