Ronald Tubid vs Willie Miller. PBA IMAGE by Nuki Sabio
MANILA, Philippines—Ronald Tubid made sure he didn’t miss twice.
Tubid, after flubbing a wide-open bucket the first time, made amends by scoring the go-ahead bucket and securing a 95-94 Barako Bull win over Globalport Sunday in the PBA Philippine Cup.
“I told Ronald, instead off passing off, take the shot. It’s your ball, it’s your play,” said head coach June Baculi. “He’s our number one guy now.”
Following a mad scramble, the ball fell again on Tubid’s hands with 18.1 seconds left—and he finished the game with a team-best 19 points, along with five rebounds.
But it was the Energy’s defense that proteced their precarious lead in the dying seconds, suffocating Willie Miller, who couldn’t get off a shot in the face of the double team.
Barako Bull snapped a three-game losing skid, but nearly got burnt again when it allowed Globalport to get going from down town.
“I reminded our team that we have to respect anybody whom we play against. Muntik na kaming masunog sa game na ito,” said Baculi.
It was a good thing that Enrico Villanueva, who has been a solid presence for the Energy, continued to muscle his way inside to bring his squad back to within a 93-94, with 1:37 to go.
Villanueva added 18 points, 11 rebounds, and four assists for Barako Bull, which is now at 3-5.
Globalport, meanwhile, continued its slide to four straight—missing a chance to snatch the game away on another botched game-winner.
Josh Vanlandingham had time to launch a trey—after Miller was trapped in the elbow and had to pass it off for the last shot—but missed at the buzzer.
The loss spoiled Mark Yee’s career game of 20 points, seven rebounds and a steal and Miller’s output of 17 points, and eight assists.
The newcomers are in danger of missing the quarterfinals as they remain at the bottom with a record of 1-7.