AIR21’S Mike Cortez stretches for a layup against a swarming Petron defense during their game Friday night. Petron won, 60-53. AUGUST DELA CRUZ
Coach Olsen Racela is engrossed with stopping opponents that his Petron Blaze Boosters have turned into something they weren’t before.
The Boosters will again put premium on defense despite an overflow of talent in offense against the Barako Bull Energy Sunday in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Barangay Ginebra, which finally broke out of a slump, is also determined to hold down its rival to a minimum when the crowd favorite takes on the surging Rain Or Shine Elasto Painters in the 6:30 p.m. mainer.
With Ronald Tubid spearheading Petron’s defense, the Boosters pulled off a 60-53 victory over the Air21 Express on Friday. The fourth straight Petron win after five games set scoring lows for both teams.
The combined output of both squads was the fifth lowest with Petron’s winning score also its worst in the league.
“Well, I don’t care if it’s a low-scoring game as long as we make stops on the other end,” said Racela, who praised Tubid for handcuffing KG Canaleta and forcing John Wilson to blow what seemed like an easy layup.
Sporting a shirt every game with the word DEFENSE printed on it, Racela has vowed to make it a team mission even if injured gunners Alex Cabagnot, Chris Lutz and Danny Ildefonso are set to rejoin the Boosters.
The Energy (3-2) also have ample firepower with import Evan Brock, Josh Urbiztondo, Allein Maliksi, Mick Pennisi, Danny Seigle, JC Intal and Mark Macapagal seeking to bounce back from a recent 72-93 defeat against the Gin Kings.
After losing their first four games, the Kings (1-4) forced the Energy to commit 23 turnovers and shoot 33.8 percent from the field.