SURPRISE leader Barako Bull rallied from 19 points down to win over Meralco, 105-99, and stay unbeaten in the PBA Governors’ Cup Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Energy fell behind, 31-12, early before storming back behind collective effort led by Joseph Yeo.
Yeo had a personal season-high 28 points including 11 in the fourth quarter. The former Ginebra guard also dished out six assists to help Barako Bull equal its best start in franchise history at 4-0.
“I’m so thankful that Joseph Yeo went to us. When I found out Joseph Yeo is going to be traded, wala nang isip-isip, go let’s do it,” Barako Bull head coach Koy Banal said of the former De La Salle standout, who was acquired in exchange for Sol Mercado before the start of the third conference. “Joseph was fantastic.”
Banal also said that his team’s impressive game is a sign of “commitment” from his players and that everyone is “excited” to play for the team.
Hulking import Liam McMorrow added a double-double for the Energy with 19 points and 23 rebounds.
Barako Bull’s young guns of RR Garcia, Jake Pascual and Justin Chua also played a key role.
Garcia, who finished with 14 points, coincided with Pascual in a crucial inbound play that cushioned the Energy’s lead, 103-99, with 1:06 left. Pascual and Chua scored 12 points apiece.
Explosive import Andre Emmet posted a game-high 32 points on 11-of-18 shooting from the field in 45 minutes of action for the Bolts, who slipped to 2-3. Cliff Hodge had 17.
Hodge’s 3-pointer kept the game within reach for the Bolts before Pascual came free underneath for the gimme off a Garcia assist and Yeo icing the game with two free throws with 36.9 seconds left. AC