WYNNE Arboleda of Barako Bull blocks Wesley Gonzales of Alaska during Sunday’s match won by the Energy, 106-85. August dela Cruz
ANTIPOLO—The only thing not traditional about Barako Bull being in the semifinals of a PBA tournament is maybe Barako Bull itself.
The materials of the team, in the words of coach Junel Baculi, “have been there, done that.” And the Energy have the perfect complement in Gabriel Freeman, another winner, as an import.
The squad made up of veterans tries to push its luck some more as it starts its best-of-five Commissioner’s Cup Final Four series against no less than a side that has been the most traditional playoff force in the league in recent years—powerhouse and defending champion Talk ‘N Text. Tip-off is at 6:45 p.m. at the Ynares Center here.
“We showed everyone that we can still play, that we can still win,” former two-time MVP Willie Miller told the Inquirer on the way to his car Sunday night, minutes after a 106-85 Game 3 playoff win over Alaska.
“It would now be up to us to extend ourselves and play against another set of younger guys,” he continued after shooting 20 points and dishing out six assists. “And that would be a lot of fun for the veterans.”
Talk ‘N Text, meanwhile, will come into the contest fresh from a long break which worries coach Chot Reyes more. He is already concerned by the fact that Freeman gave Barako Bull more speed to go with its veteran smarts.
“We will be coming off a rest and they will have the advantage in game sharpness,” Reyes said. “Plus, Freeman is the perfect import for Barako (Bull). He complements their veterans very well with his energy and all-around game.”
Barako Bull made it this far despite having a losing record in the eliminations, bundling out the Aces in the quarterfinals with the lopsided Sunday win.
Freeman will have his hands full against Donnell Harvey. If the imports cancel each other out, the fight would squarely fall on the shoulders of the locals.
Tubid is top player of the week
Meanwhile, Ronald Tubid, once referred to as the “Energizer Bunny,” was brilliant in the week that passed, earning for himself the Accel/PBA Press Corps Player of the Week award.
Tubid shot 20 points, had five rebounds and four assists, while putting in a lot of hard work on the defensive end that helped contain Alaska’s Cyrus Baguio and LA Tenorio in the rubber match of their series that ended Sunday, 106-85.