PBA: Llamados slip past Energy, go up 2-0 in Commissioner's Cup

B-MEG seized the PBA Commissioner's Cup top spot Wednesday night, coming back from 14 points down to nip Barako Bull, 88-86, at the Astrodome in Pasay City. Joe Devance and import Denzel Bowles led the Llamados' comeback from a 55-41 deficit, before holding their own down the stretch when the Energy threatened to turn things around behind top man Willie Miller. Devance finished with a game-high 26 markers, including six of B-MEG's last seven points. He scored six straight points to give the Llamados the lead for good, 87-83. But a Miller three-pointer had the Energy threatening at 87-86 with 11.1 seconds to go. And after a Josh Urbiztondo split free throw, for a two-point B-MEG lead, Barako had the chance of sending the game into overtime. It wasn't meant to be. Miller managed to elude Roger Yap and then faked off the trio of Marc Pingris, JC Intal and Devance to release a shot attempt that hit the backboard hard, before bouncing off the rim as time expired. B-MEG coach Tim Cone appeared more relieved than satisfied afterwards with his team's second straight win in the tournament. "It's a sprint. Our next two opponents are Petron and Talk 'N Text. Imagine the pressure had we split our first two games," he said. "So you have to understand that we had to win our first two games to get some pressure off." B-MEG tests sister-team Petron on February 19, followed by a February 29 date with defending champion Talk 'N Text. Bowles finished with a double-double of 19 points and 13 rebounds despite getting into early foul trouble, while James Yap added 14 markers on the night of his 30th birthday. Barako Bull fell to 1-1 after initially routing Alaska last week, 98-78.   Import DerMarr Johnson led the Energy with 21 points, but the former Atlanta Hawk was held scoreless in the fourth quarter and just made two the entire second half. Don Allado added 14 points, while Mick Pennisi had 12 for the Llamados. Miller's basket at the 4:11 mark of the fourth quarter gave Barako Bull its last taste of the lead at 83-81. Devance took over from there, scoring B-MEG's next six points as the Llamados finally take control of the match. — JVP, GMA News