PBA: Barako Bull stunner as Energy upsets Talk 'N Text

(Updated 10:06pm) The Barako Bull Energy Cola punched their ticket to the playoffs in stunning fashion, scoring an upset win over the Talk 'N Text Tropang Texters, 88-74, in the 2014 PBA Governors' Cup on Tuesday at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.

Barako Bull (3-5) will finish eighth at worst, after scoring wins against Meralco (2-6) and GlobalPort (1-6). Talk 'N Text (5-2) on the other hand saw their four-game winning streak snapped. They now share first place with the San Mig Coffee Mixers. Both squads will play each other on Friday.

Allen Durham, in his second game in the PBA, logged 28 points, 29 rebounds and two blocks. Keith Jensen and Willie Miller added 17 and 15 markers, respectively. Jeric Fortuna notched 11 points on 3-of-5 shooting from the three-point line to go with six rebounds.

Coach Siot Tanquingcen had his face in his hands when he addressed the media as if in disbelief, but immediately composed himself.

"It's a good feeling pero siyempre, twice-to-beat parin yung mga nasa taas e," he said, quickly grounding Barako’s success with his perspective. "We have to keep getting better as a team."

He also complimented Durham's performance, as his relentless play inside was key to finally stumping the Texters in the fourth.

"Definitely he makes a great difference. Kahit yung mga player namin nagkakaroon ng kumpiyansa tumira kasi alam nilang malakas rumebound," he said. "Not to take anything away from [previous import] Eric Wise, but nung nawala si Mick Pennisi naging donut yung team namin. It's a big help sa team namin."

The Texters controlled the first quarter through great inside play from Paul Harris and Ranidel De Ocampo. However, turnovers cost Talk 'N Text some easy baskets on the other end, and aggressive offense from Allen Durham kept the Energy in the game. Harvey Carey though beat the quarter buzzer with a midrange jumper to hand the Texters a 19-15 edge.

Willie Miller and Jayson Castro went at each other to start the second, handing Barako Bull a slim 29-28 advantage. However, Talk 'N Text's defense eventually drained the Energy. Jimmy Alapag set up Harris for buckets during a 17-9 run to end the first half, 45-38.


The third quarter began again with a shootout, this time between De Ocampo and Jeric Fortuna from beyond the arc. A Fortuna triple tied up affairs at 51-51, and the Texters couldn't get significant separation as their offense devolved to relying on Harris to bail them out. Barako Bull lorded it over in the paint and stayed on the Texters' hip until the end of the third, 61-60.

Durham fought tooth and nail for the Barako Bull lead, scoring six to secure a 73-68 advantage after a Keith Jensen triple with five minutes left in the fourth. The Energy continued to flex their muscles even after a Talk 'N Text timeout, and got big shots from Fortuna and Keith Jensen down the stretch.

The Texters, stifled by the Energy's swarming defense, couldn't make inroads in the last three minutes. A Durham and-one made it an 85-74 game with under a minute left, assuring themselves of the victory.

Barako Bull shot 33-of-78 (42.3 percent) from the field, while Talk 'N Text went 24-of-74 (32.4 percent). The Energy led 59-41 in rebounding, including 18-10 offensive, resulting in a 14-4 gap in second-chance points.

Paul Harris logged 22 points, 14 rebounds and four assists for the Texters. Ranidel De Ocampo tallied 21 points and seven rebounds, while Jayson Castro had 18 points and four assists. - AMD, GMA News



The scores:

BARAKO BULL 88 - Durham 28, Jensen 17, Miller 15, Fortuna 11, Miranda 6, Wilson 4, Intal 3, Isip 2, Custodio 2, Thiele 0, Najorda 0, Lastimosa 0, Marcelo 0, Pennisi 0

TALK ’N TEXT 74 - Harris 22, De Ocampo 21, Castro 18, Canaleta 3, Williams 2, Reyes 2, Baclao 2, Carey 2, Alapag 2, Reyes 0, Fonacier 0

Quarter scoring: 15-19, 38-45, 60-61, 88-74