Barako Bull guard RR Garcia. Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
Barako Bull built just enough cushion to survive Gary David’s 40-point outing and escape Meralco, 108-106, in the 2016 Smart Bro PBA Philippine Cup Sunday at Philsports Arena in Pasig.
The Energy nearly blew it in the endgame after muffing four free throws inside the final minute and it took a couple of defensive stops to hold off the Bolts with Willy Wilson holding his ground against Reynel Hugnatan, who missed a potential game-tying basket in the shaded area before time ran out.
Josh Urbiztondo led Barako Bull with 24 points off the bench. The fiery guard also spearheaded a 12-0 run that gave the Energy a 94-84 lead early in the fourth quarter.
“Our actions determine our character. In our two previous games, the players showed character,” said Barako Bull head coach Koy Banal. “The players stayed in the game, stayed focus, and they really wanted to win this game.”
RR Garcia and Willy Wilson added 18 and 17 points, respectively for Barako Bull, which improved to 2-2. Wilson also had eight rebounds and five assists.
The Bolts put Gary David’s 40 points on 14-of-21 shooting from the field to waste as they suffered their fourth loss in as many games.
The veteran guard fired 14 points in the fourth quarter, including his seventh and last triple of the game that trimmed the Energy’s lead to two, 108-106, with 29.2 seconds remaining.
The scores:
BARAKO BULL 108 – Urbiztondo 24, Garcia 18, Wilson 17, Monfort 12, Intal 9, Cruz 8, Pennisi 6, Baracael 5, Lanete 3, Caperal 2, Miranda 2, Sorongon 2, Fortuna 0.
MERALCO 106 – David 40, Newsome 12, Hugnatan 10, Amer 9, Alapag 7, Nabong 7, Caram 6, Dillinger 5, Al-Hussaini 4, Faundo 4, Sedurifa 2, Ferriols 0, Hodge 0.
Quarters: 32-23, 56-52, 79-82, 108-106.