Durham debuts with triple double as Barako Bull ends 5-game skid

MANILA, Philippines – After 5 straight losses, the Barako Bull Energy had seen enough. 

In place of Eric Wise, Barako brought in new import Allen Durham, a 26-year old Euroleague veteran, who made an immediate impact for the Energy with a triple double debut performance to dispatch the Globalport Batang Pier, 122-98, in the 2014 PLDT Home Telpad PBA Governors’ Cup on Sunday, June 8 at the Alonte Sports Arena in Laguna.  

Durham dropped 32 points, collared 24 rebounds, and dished out 10 assists in the out-of-town game to pull Barako out of their rut for a 2-5 win-loss slate.  

More than his stat-line, Durham provided the much-needed spark Barako had been missing since the start of the conference when they notched their first win and escaped from the Meralco Bolts, 95-94.  

It has been a series of disappointments for the Energy from that point on, with several endgame breaks swinging the way of their opponents.  

But it seems the Energy have found their answer in Durham, as they were off to a hot start, burying the hapless Batang Pier, 31-10, in the opening frame.  

Globalport, which remained in solo last place with a 1-6 record, could not complete their rallies as Dior Lowhorn had only 17 points and 9 rebounds.  

Terrence Romeo led the Batang Pier with 22 markers on 8-of-14 field goals, while Jay Washington and Alex Cabagnot had 15 and 13 points, respectively.  

With Durham manning the paint, Barako was able to spread out Globalport’s defense as the Energy went on a three-point rampage, shooting 13-of-23 triples all game. 

Globalport tried to keep up with a 9-of-26 three-point shooting clip but Barako’s offense was just relentless from everywhere. 

Denok Miranda came up with 20 markers on a perfect 3-of-3 from long range, while JC Intal added 14 points. Hans Thiele chipped in 13 points as well. 

For the Energy, the key to their offense was in finding their teammates. All but one of the players they fielded in were on the scoreboard as Barako came up with 30 assists. 

Their active defense stifled Globalport and kept them to just 19 assists. 

Scores

Barako 122 – Durham 32, Miranda 20, Intal 14, Thiele 13, Jensen 12, Miller 9, Pennisi 5, Custodio 4, Fortuna 3, Isip 2, Lastimosa 2, Salva 2, Marcelo 2, Najorda 2, Wilson 0.

Globalport 98 – Romeo 22, Lowhorn 17, Washington 15, Cabagnot 13, Menk 9, Macapagal 8, Garcia 5, Buenafe 4, Ponferada 4, Yee 1, Lingganay 0, Hayes 0, Salvador 0.

Quarter scores:  38-20, 59-47, 92-69, 122-98. 

– Rappler.com