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Barako Bull held TNT to just a free throw in overtime Thursday night to eke out a 105-98 victory at Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City and greatly give its playoffs drive in the Smart Bro-PBA Philippine Cup a boost.
Willie Wilson’s career game of 28 points and 20 rebounds propelled the Energy to their fourth win in eight games, putting Barako Bull in the middle of the pack while taking the Tropang Texters out in the race for a top two berth.
The Texters, who forged overtime courtesy of two Troy Rosario free throws with 15.5 seconds to go for 97-all, slumped to 4-3 after Jason Castro missed the chance to win it in regulation when his triple try at the buzzer barely missed the mark.
“I think the No. 1 key for us was our sense of urgency (to win),” Barako Bull coach Koy Banal told reporters. “We have been talking about that even before the Rain or Shine (loss), our ability to bounce back from a heartbreaking loss to San Miguel.
“We didn’t have that against Rain or Shine,” continued Banal. “But they (Energy) played with it this time.”
RR Garcia was the other big offensive weapon for Banal, shooting 22 points—including 10 in the fourth—before being helped off the floor by his teammates for a feared dislocated right shoulder after fouling Jason Castro.
Castro split his free throws with that Garcia foul with 3:39 left in extension, and that would prove to be the only score for the Tropang Texters as Wilson scored five points from there to put the finishing touches on the win.
“We fear that it is a dislocated shoulder,” Banal said of the Garcia injury.
Meanwhile, Robert Non, the San Miguel Beer representative and chair of the league’s board, will concurrently act as the president and CEO after the board accepted “with a heavy heart” Chito Salud’s resignation.
The scores:
First Game
BARAKO BULL 105—Wilson 28, Garcia 22, Intal 12, Fortuna 10, Baracael 9, Brondial 7, Lanete 6, Miranda 6, Urbiztondo 3, Monfort 2, Caperal 0, Pennisi 0.
TALK ‘N TEXT 98—Tautuaa 20, Castro 19, Rosario 19, Carey 8, Wiliams 8, Miranda 7, Rosser 6, Reyes 6, Fonacier 5, Seigle 0.
Quarters: 19-27, 44-43, 78-75, 97-97 (reg.), 105-98