STEFFPHON Pettigrew of Talk ‘N Text pivots to pop a shot under the basket off Barako Bull’s Jake Pascual and Liam McMorrow. AUGUST DELA CRUZ
ANTIPOLO—With Liam McMorrow running practically unopposed underneath, Barako Bull was firing on all cylinders last night and brought down Talk ‘N Text, 100-87, for a share of the early lead in the PBA Governors’ Cup eliminations at Ynares Center here.
The 7-foot McMorrow, quick and agile for his size, scattered 26 points and grabbed 28 rebounds and gave his local crew all the confidence they need as the Energy battered the undermanned Tropang Texters all game.
Four locals tossed in twin digits for the Energy, who duplicated a same 3-0 start in the Commissioner’s Cup but are looking very good with McMorrow around.
Dylan Ababou drained 17 points built around three triples, while JC Intal fired 14 and RR Garcia 12 for the Energy, who dealt the Texters their first loss in two games.
The win put the Energy in a tie with idle Globalport with Alaska seeking to join them as the Aces faced Rain or Shine at press time.
Joseph Yeo, acquired from Barangay Ginebra in a pre-tournament deal, was the last local in double digits for Barako Bull with 12. His final basket, a triple at the 2:11 mark, made it 92-82.
“We talked about landing a big fish [in Talk ‘N Text],” said Barako Bull coach Koy Banal. “We know they’re not complete, but a win is a win.”
With Ranidel De Ocampo, rookie Kevin Alas, defensive ace Aaron Aban and leading local scorer Jason Castro continuing to sit it out, the Tropang Texters lacked the firepower to go toe-to-toe with the Energy.
American Steffphon Pettigrew scored 23 points but was silent in the fourth, while Asian reinforcement Sam Daghles fired blanks until the final three minutes.
Meanwhile, Barangay Ginebra, after breaking through last Wednesday, guns for a second straight victory today when the tournament goes out-of-town for the first time in Dipolog for a Petron Saturday Special Game pitting the Gin Kings against Blackwater.
That game is slated at 5 p.m. with the odds favoring the Kings heavily even with Greg Slaughter, Japeth Aguilar and Chris Ellis again expected to miss the game because of injuries.
The Elite have lost their first three games by big margins and would need to wake up fast. Marcus Douthit will again lead Blackwatert.
The scores:
First Game
BARAKO 100—McMorrow 26, Ababou 17, Intal 14, Garcia 13, Yeo 12, Wilson 7, Pascual 6, Hubalde 5, Lastimosa 0, Chua 0, Maierhofer 0.
TALK ‘N TEXT 87—Pettigrew 23, Washington 14, Miller 11, Daghles 10, Fonacier 8, Williams 7, Seigle 7, Rosser 4, Reyes 0, Carey 0.
Quarters: 25-14, 50-41, 73-59, 100-87