Hickerson sparks Energy past Express

OGIE Menor of Air21 loses his balance on the drive and slams into Mick Pennisi of Barako Bull in yesterday’s game. AUGUST DELA CRUZ

Leroy Hickerson remained undefeated on Philippine soil, pumping in 38 points and coming close to a triple double in lifting Barako Bull to a 109-100 victory over Air21 last night in the PBA Governors’ Cup at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Hickerson shot 60 percent from the field, pulled down eight rebounds and had eight assists in 43 minutes of action as the Energy won for the second straight time and rose to the upper half of the pack with a 3-2 record.

The loss was the third straight in a 1-4 card for the Express, who got 41 points and 17 rebounds from import Zach Graham but trailed by as many as 15 points late in the game.

Graham is the tournament’s leading scorer with an average of close to 36 points.

“It was a monster game from Leroy,” Barako Bull coach Junnel Baculi told reporters later of  Hickerson, who improved on his maiden performance last week when he played a few hours after planing in.

But Baculi was quick to point out the weakness of his squad, saying his team was lucky to win.

“We have to step up further if we want to advance to the next stage,” Baculi said. “We will be facing tougher opponents in our next game: Rain or Shine, Talk ‘N Text and Barangay Ginebra. We have to be mentally prepared.

“I think we have been lucky because we have been outrebounded (by every opponent) in our last five games.”

Air21 edged out the Energy, 58-51, in the battle off the boards, but experience carried Barako Bull through with its veterans-laden lineup hitting clutch baskets when needed.

Only six teams will advance to the semifinal round, and Barako Bull’s win put it well inside that circle while pushing the Express on the brink of an early vacation for the third straight time this season.

The taller Energy took a 10-point lead at the end of the first period, stayed ahead by six at the half before getting a dressing down from Baculi inside the locker room because they were getting mangled off the boards.

Hickerson then scored 10 points in the third and Mick Pennisi nine of his 14 as the Energy kept the Express within arm’s length the rest of the way before eventually taking a 105-90 lead late in the contest.

James Sena had 16 points for the Express.

The scores:

First Game

BARAKO BULL 109—Hickerson 38, Pennisi 14, Kramer 10, Najorda 9, Cruz 9, Miller 8, Allado 8, Cervantes 7, Tubid 6, Weinstein 0, Sharma 0.

AIR21 100—Graham 41, Sena 16, Isip 11, Omolon 10, Hubalde 6, Salamat 5, Arboleda 5, Espiritu 4, Menor 2, Sison 0, Faundo 0, Ritualo 0.

Quarters: 33-23, 53-47, 80-69, 109-100