SUMMARY
This is AI generated summarization, which may have errors. For context, always refer to the full article.
MANILA, Philippines – Petron Blaze used a big third quarter run and held fort down the stretch to survive Barako Bull, 107-100 on Friday, January 24 at the Mall of Asia Arena and book the second ticket to the PLDT Home DSL PBA Philippine Cup semifinals.
The Boosters again pulled away from a tight first half using a 19-5 run in the third period and never looked back to sweep the Energy, 2-0 in their best-of-3 quarterfinals affair.
Petron set a best-of-7 semis duel with the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters starting on Monday, January 27 at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Alex Cabagnot (22 points, 12 assists), June Mar Fajardo (14 points, 17 rebounds), and Arwind Santos (17 points, 12 rebounds) all finished with double-double performances while six players scored at least 10 to help the Boosters upend the hard-fighting Barako Bull crew.
“Barako pushed us to the limit,” said Petron head coach Gee Abanilla, who will face a taller task in the Final Four wars of the PBA.
“We’ll have to find a weakness (Rain or Shine), if they have one. We’re seeing a long series with them.”
From a halftime deadlock at 52, the Boosters opened the third quarter on a 9-0 tear and limited the Energy to a solitary field goal in over 7 minutes to establish a 71-57 lead.
The Energy managed to respond behind three treys – two from Mick Pennisi and one from Willie Miller – and free throws by Dorian Peña to cut the deficit down to 3, 90-93, with just under 5 minutes left to play.
An Alex Cabagnot outside bomb made it 96-90 for Petron, before the match turned into a free throw-shooting contest as both squads got whistled for personal fouls.
The Boosters converted on more foul shots, while a drive by Cabagnot lifted Petron, 104-96 with just 63 ticks left.
Baskets by Rico Maierhofer and Denok Miranda made it 105-100 with just 26.8 seconds left, but Petron was able to waste away time and seal the deal.
Petron Blaze shot 25 of 39 (64.1%) from the stripe while Barako only 20 of 40 (50%) in game highlighted by 65 total fouls called.
Maierhofer and JC Intal carried the Energy with 21 and 20 points, respectively.
The scores:
Petron Blaze – Cabagnot 22, Lutz 18, Santos 17, Fajardo 14, Lassiter 11, Tubid 10, Ross 8, Kramer 7, Lanete 0.
Barako Bull – Maierhofer 21, Intal 20, Miranda 15, Miller 11, Peña 11, Pennisi 8, Lastimosa 6, Jensen 4, Wilson 2, Buenafe 2, Isip 0.
Quarter scores: 25-18, 52-52, 79-72, 107-100.
– Rappler.com
Add a comment
How does this make you feel?
There are no comments yet. Add your comment to start the conversation.