Barako nips Globalport

ARANETA— Barako Bull overcame an early 18-point deficit to nip Globalport Batang Pier, 98-97, in their elimination round game of the 38th Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Governor's Cup yesterday.

Michael Singletary finished with 43 points including 12 points and two triples in the fourth period on top of 12 rebounds and five assists to lead Barako Energy Cola's fourth win in six outings and to move to solo second spot just a game behind solo leader Petron Blaze, which is toting a 5-1 win-loss slate.

“I have to admit that we were lucky. Globalport was better in three quarters. It was very difficult to stay in the game with only one player offensively. We were 18 points down, we didn't stop to play and finally I found the best five to win. Enrico Villanueva stepped up. I hope on Tuesday we can be in a better shape,” said Barako Bull coach Rajko Toroman.

After trailing by 15 points going into the pivotal period, the Energy Cola had its defense working that held Batang Pier to only two points for more than three minutes in a quick 15-2 run to cut down the gap to within two points, 83-85, with 7:15 remaining.

Import Markeith Cummings broke Batang Pier's silence on a drive but Danny Seigle scored a basket and Singletary connected a triple that tied the match 90-all.

“Congratulations to Globalport. They played well. I hope with this win, we will make it in the quarterfinal round. This is a great result for us, we put a bigger lineup with Singletary at No. 3 position,” he said.

“Markeith Cummings was shooting well at the three-point zone. We made a good run and we won with a big heart,” Toroman added.

It was a hearth-breaking setback for coach Junel Baculi, whose team was seemed heading for a big win as they took an 18-point advantage, 7557, on Cummings triple over five minutes left in the third quarter.

Batang Pier, which finished the last two conferences at the bottom of the standing, dropped to the ninth position with a 2-4 record or just a win away from cellar dweller Air 21 Express, who are bearing a 1-5 card.

Aside from Singletary, also contributing heavily for Energy Cola were Mark Macapagal, who fired 11 points. Seigle had 10m while Ronjay Buenafe had nine.

Globalport import Cummings finished with 40 points, 25 in the first half, while Solomon Mercado added 16, Gary David had 11 and 10 from Yuosef Taha.