Barako Bull rallies to beat GlobalPort in overtime

MANILA, Philippines – Barako Bull rose from 10 points down in the final two minutes of regulation to pull away from GlobalPort, 98-88, in overtime Sunday in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Import Evan Brock topscored with 25 points on top of 18 rebounds while also getting the help from the locals with Josh Urbiztondo, Jonas Villanueva and veteran Danny Seigle putting up big numbers as well for the Energy Cola.

“You saw what kind of problem we have. We didn’t shoot the ball well. It’s a miracle that we won this game,” said consultant Rajko Toroman.

Barako Bull shot just 39 percent from the field but had it going when it mattered.

Struggling all game long, Mark Macapagal made his only field goal, a clutch three, with only 0.9 tenths of a second left that sent the game into overtime with both teams tied at 86.

“Mark Macapagal wasn’t making his shots but in that last second he made the three-point shot. We were really waiting for that the whole game,” said coach Bong Ramos.

Gary David, whose drive to the basket gave GlobalPort an 86-76 lead with only 1:58 left, misfired on a hurried but in-line attempt from downtown that would’ve won it for his team in regulation.

Both teams went back and forth before the Batang Pier pulled ahead midway through the fourth period.

Seigle scored on a reverse past GlobalPort import Justin Williams to cut the deficit to six before Urbiztondo made one of his six treys in the ensuing play as Barako Bull moved to within three 83-86 with 43.9 ticks left.

GlobalPort faltered under pressure with costly turnovers including a five-second inbound violation and a turnover forced by Barako Bull’s pressure defense with Brock stealing the ball from David that eventually led to Macapagal’s big-time shot.

It was all Barako Bull in the extra session with Seigle rolling off the first five points to give his team a 91-86 lead with only 3:24 remaining as GlobalPort went cold.

A Villanueva steal on Williams that led to a scoop shot maintained Barako Bull’s five-point edge before an Urbiztondo step back trey proved to be the dagger basket, clinching the Energy Cola’s second win in as many games to grab an early lead in the standings.

We showed the character in the two games,” said Toroman. “Our import played great defensively.”

Barako Bull overcame Sol Mercado’s career-night thanks to a total team effort with Urbiztondo netting 24 points on six-of-15 from deep, Villanueva tallying 18 points and collecting six rebounds and six assists and Seigle turning back the clock anew with 16 points and three rebounds.

Mercado ended up with 19 points and a career-high 16 assists while Japeth Aguilar posted a double-double of 23 points and 10 rebounds. David had 19 markers while Williams grabbed 27 rebounds to go along with 12 points.

“Our strategy was to limit the penetration of Sol Mercado; we let Japeth shoot the ball,” added Toroman, who is expecting the return of JC Intal in the lineup. “We’re in good position, we’re 2-0.”

GlobalPort, which out-rebounded Barako Bull, 56-47 but committed 23 turnovers, slid to 1-1.