Liam McMorrow. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
Barako Bull continued its impressive start as it zapped Globalport 123-114 to maintain its stay atop the PBA Governors’ Cup standings Sunday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
A fast-paced yet steady,offense carried the Energy throughout much of the game which gave them a 6-1 record.
Staring at a close 97-95 lead midway through the fourth quarter, the Energy went crazy in transition, firing away nine straight points to go up 104-95 with 5:48 remaining.
Liam McMorrow went for a two-handed jam in the fast break which Carlo Lastimosa followed up with a driving layup before Dylan Ababou went the distance and shot the three that swung the momentum to Barako.
Energy head coach Koy Banal said his players stuck to his formula of “never give up” basketball.
“The players did a good job of sticking to our formula,” Banal said. “That positive attitude, we were down, we never gave up.”
Globalport had a 48-39 lead in the first half but Barako turned it around in the first half when the Energy nearly matched their first half output, scoring 42 points in the penultimate period alone.
Barako Bull sliced and diced through the defense of Globalport en route to 62 points in the paint compared to the Batang Pier’s 54.
Testament to their name, the Energy also ran past the Batang Pier, outscoring the latter 21-8 in fastbreak points.
McMorrow had a preposterous 41-point, 27-rebound effort while Joseph Yeo had a milder double-double of 19 points and 10 assists for Barako Bull.
Lastimosa and Intal had 14 points apiece for the Energy while RR Garcia added 10 points.
Jarid Famous and Terrence Romeo combined for 62 points for the 4-4 Globalport. CC
The scores:
BARAKO 123 – McMorrow 41, Yeo 19, Lastimosa 14, Intal 14, Garcia 10, Wilson 9, Lanete 6, Ababou 6, Pascual 4, Chua 0, Maierhofer 0.
GLOBLPORT 114 – Famous 32, Romeo 30, Pringle 16, Krayem 11, Buenafe 8, Kramer 8, Mamaril 4, Semerad 3, Ponferada 2, Hayes 0, Jensen 0.
Quarters: 27-20, 45-50, 87-80, 123-114