Petron’s three-point party shuts down Barako Bull in Game 1

MANILA, Philippines – Using a continuous barrage of outside shots in the second half, the Petron Blaze Boosters shut down Barako Bull Energy in the fourth period to pull away and take game 1, 101-88, in their best-of-3 quarterfinals showdown in the PLDT Home DSL PBA PhiIippine Cup on Tuesday, January 21 at the Mall of Asia Arena.

The Boosters held the Energy scoreless for over five minutes while putting together a stifling 17-0 run in the fourth quarter to break away from a close affair and bury Barako Bull.

After shooting a paltry 10% from three-point land in the first two quarters, Petron’s shooters smoked hot from downtown, burying 8-of-14 in the second half.

Alex Cabagnot had a hot hand in the final 24 minutes, hitting 4 triples in the second half, while Marcio Lassiter, who had just flown back from the United States to attend his grandmother’s death, knocked down 3 treys in the fourth quarter alone, as Petron outscored Barako in the final two quarters, 59-39.

Cabagnot and Lassiter connected on all of their three-point shots in the final two quarters. They both finished with 17 points to lead 6 Boosters in double-figures.

“We just got lucky and shot the ball really well in the second half. In the first half we were tentative with our shots. In the second half, it was a great turnaround,” said Petron head coach Gee Abanilla, who also lauded the toughness of his shooter Lassiter.

“Marcio just came in from the United States and gave us a very good contribution.”

Barako Bull held a small margin for most of the way, with Petron having a miserable-shooting first half. They led by as much as 12 in the first half and last took the edge at 78-71 on Willie Miller’s and-one play with 10:16 in the fourth, before Petron countered with 17 unanswered points in a huge rally.

An Alex Cabagnot trey during the last three minutes gave Petron their biggest advantage at 99-82, before the Energy made it a bit more respectable.

Game two will be played Friday night at the Mall of Asia Arena.

The scores:

Petron – Lassiter 17, Cabagnot 17, Santos 17, Fajardo 15, Lutz 14, Ross 10, Tubid 6, Lanete 4, Taha 1, Duncil 0, Kramer 0.

Barako Bull – Miller 17, Buenafe 17, Intal 15, Peña 9, Miranda 9, Wilson 8, Jensen 5, Maierhofer 3, Pennisi 3, Macapagal 2, Lastimosa 0, Marcelo 0. –Rappler.com