PBA: Barako Bull 3-pointers lift them past Rain or Shine

MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – Twelve timely three-pointers helped the Barako Bull Energy Cola bounce back from a first game loss as they overturned Philippine Cup finalists Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, 110-106, on Sunday, March 9 in the PLDT myDSL Commissioner’s Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.  

After being down 53-46 at the half, Barako Bull came alive in the third quarter as Ronjay Buenafe sizzled from deep with 3 treys for all of his 11 points. Buenafe hit a long range bomb with 3:29 remaining in that period to overtake Rain or Shine, 71-70. 

Mick Pennisi also drilled two more triples as well in that quarter as the Energy came up with 33 points in that 12-minute frame to head into the payoff period knotted with Rain or Shine at 79. 

Barako import Joshua Dollard, who was explosive once again with 44 points and 19 rebounds, gave the Energy the lead for good at the 6:46 mark of the fourth, 92-90. He then went on to extend the lead with an additional 7 straight points for a solo 7-0 spurt. Rookie Carlo Lastimosa capped off that 11-0 run on a basket with 4:11 on the clock to make it 101-91. 

Unlike their first game against Barangay Ginebra, Barako did not allow any endgame meltdowns this time around. They hung on to the lead even as Paul Lee and Jeff Chan conspired for a couple of triples to cut the deficit down to 107-102.  

“At least we learned something from last game,” said Barako head coach Bong Ramos. “Yung sakit namin from the All-Filipino (conference) andoon pa rin eh. Although we’re ahead, we lost the last game.” (Our recurring errors from the All-Filipino conference are still there.)

He added, “This is a good experience for us. Hopefully we have corrected yung sakit namin.” (Hopefully we have corrected our recurring errors.)

Willie Miller added 19 points for Barako, while Rain or Shine import Alexander McLean finished with 15 points and 16 rebounds. Paul Lee and Jeff Chan chipped in 15 and 14 markers, respectively. 

Barako managed to eke out the victory in spite of losing the battle of the boards, 50-46, and having zero second-chance points compared to Rain or Shine’s 13.

Turnover points also favored the Painters, 18-6, as well as assists, 21-11.

Scores:

Barako 110: Dollard 44, Miller 19, Miranda 13, Buenafe 11, Pennisi 9, Intal 7, Lastimosa 2, Wilson 2, Marcelo 2, Isip 1, Jensen 0, Fortuna 0, Pena 0.

Rain or Shine 106: McLean 21, Lee 15, Chan 14, Belga 11, Norwood 10, Uyloan 9, Almazan 9, Tiu 5, Arana 4, Rodriguez 4, Cruz 2, Nuyles 2, Tang 0, Teng 0, Ibanes 0. 

Quarter scores: 22-24, 46-53, 79-79, 110-106. – Rappler.com