PBA: Energy, Texters seek tie for 2nd spot today

MANILA, Philippines—Two nights after bolstering its status as a title threat, Barako Bull takes on lightweight sister team Shopinas.com Friday for a share of second place in the PBA Philippine Cup eliminations.

After methodically tearing down powerhouse defending champion Talk ‘N Text on Wednesday, the Energy are installed as the solid picks over the Clickers in the 5:15 p.m. game at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay.

The Tropang Texters try to bounce back from that loss at 7:30 when they clash with struggling B-Meg and new coach Tim Cone.

Willie Miller rediscovered his old fire and led the Energy to a 14-point blowout of the Texters, and if Barako Bull plays just even close to the way it did two nights ago, then the Clickers have no chance at all, pundits say.

Miller, a winner of two MVP trophies with different teams, scored 27 points— most of them at the clutch—and handed out six assists in his best game in almost two seasons.

“We have to regain our focus because Shopinas is a young team and very dangerous,” Barako Bull coach Junnel Baculi said Wednesday night.

While Shopinas is the youngest squad, Barako Bull is hands down the oldest, with its core having an average age of 34 years old.

The old-timers bailed the Energy out against the Texters, with Mick Pennisi shooting 18 points. Dylan Ababou was the only young gun who stood out as the former Santo Tomas ace scattered 20.

Shopinas.com is one of only two squads— the other being fancied Alaska—which has yet to post a victory, and coach Franz Pumaren’s boys would have to be super sharp tonight if they hope to have a chance against the Energy.

The second game could turn out to be a shootout with both squads loaded with talent.

James Yap, the former two-time MVP, Kerby Raymundo, Peter June Simon and Joe de Vance will banner the Llamados, who are struggling with Cone’s Triangle Offense bigtime and are 1-2 at the moment.

The Texters are expected to play Ranidel de Ocampo and Kelly Williams and become even more fearsome. Jimmy Alapag played on Wednesday practically straight from the airport but was not a factor against the Energy.