PBA: 'Manong Republic' delivers as Barako stuns TNT in semis opener

(Update 2 10:52 p.m.) Barako Bull's veterans re-energized the Energy in the payoff period to hack out an 84-77 Game One win in their best-of-five semifinals series opposite defending champion Talk 'N Text in the PBA Commissioner's Cup.  Tuesday night at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City, Danny Seigle rolled back the years, big man Dorian Peña muscled his way inside the paint while two-time MVP Willie Miller, Wynne Arboleda and Ronald Tubid hit clutch baskets in the payoff period to back up import Gabe Freeman's usual numbers. Seigle scored nine of his 19 points in Barako's fourth-quarter breakaway to help turn a 58-all count to a 79-69 advantage with four minutes and 47 seconds left in the game. But it was the clutch shooting of Arboleda, Miller and Tubid that kept Barako afloat. The Energy just played heads up defense down the stretch to foil the Texters' comeback bid. Arboleda buried consecutive three-pointers to cap a 15-4 scoring exchange to give the Energy an 11-point spread, 73-62, with four minutes gone in the final canto. Miller and Tubid then made consecutive twinners just when Jason Castro moved the Texters within seven, 73-66. Larry Fonacier's triple had the Texters threatening for the last time at 80-75 inside the two-minute mark of the fourth. Free throws by Seigle and Mick Pennisi sealed Barako's win. Freeman led Barako with a double-double effort of 21 points and 16 rebounds and Peña had 11 markers and 12 boards. Miller scored 10 while Arboleda and Tubid combined for 16 points. Castro tallied 27 points for the Texters with Fonacier contributing 14 markers. The 2-3 zone defense worked wonders for Barako as they held Talk 'N Text to 33 percent shooting from three point range while at the same time winning the battle of the boards, 66-45. — JVP, GMA News Scores:   Barako Bull 84—Freeman 21, Seigle 19, Peña 11, Miller 10, Arboleda 9, Tubid 7, Pennisi 4, Allado 3, Najorda 0.   Talk 'N Text 77—Castro 27, Fonacier 14, Harvey 9, Dillinger 9, Carey 8, De Ocampo 4, Reyes 3, Williams 3, Gamalinda 0, Aguilar 0, Lao 0, Alapag 0.   Quarter scores: 24-23, 42-43, 58-58, 84-77.