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Going into the season, the Barako Bull Energy had a chip on their shoulder.
Nobody expected them to win a single game and yet the Energy earned a playoff spot with a 5-6 record. Their stint, however, ended on Christmas day as GlobalPort sent them packing with a 94-85 present.
Still, head coach Koy Banal was pleased with his team’s showing.
“We were the 12th place in an article regarding a coaches’ poll. It was a tough roller coaster ride,” Banal said Friday. “Me? I enjoyed the ride. I cannot ask for more from the players because they have given everything.”
The Energy were in the thick of the fight and were even leading against the favored Batang Pier going into the break until Terrence Romeo played Grinch as he scored 28 of his 33 points in the second half.
Banal said the playoff trip alone was an overachievement for them and their Philippine Cup stint was something they can learn from.
“We overachieved, they counted us out even before the start of the conference,” Banal said. “We just have to focus on the things we can control and how we take the situation, and how we can get something out of the situation. Learn something out of this.”