PBA: Garcia, Lastimosa score 16 each as Barako blasts Blackwater

Barako Bull limited Blackwater Elite to nine points in the opening period and never looked back to post a 97-82 win on Wednesday.

RR Garcia and Carlo Lastimosa had 16 points each to lead Barako. Jake Pascual added 13, while Denok Miranda, JC Intal and Mick Pennisi had nine each. All Barako players fielded scored at least two points for the team.

"We did a good job defensively. We started strong sa latter part ng second quarter. They were able to score points," said Barako coach Koy Banal.

"The way we started, the energy that the guys brought in, made the difference in this game. I hope we can use this as a springboard going into our last two games against NLEX and Purefoods."

Barako led 41-30 at the half, before turning it on in the third by scoring 31 more to Blackwater's 18. The Energy entered the final period with a 24-point edge, one that Blackwater failed to overcome even if they outscored Barako 34-25 in the fourth.

Brian Faundo topscored for Blackwater with 23 points and 11 rebounds, while Brian Heruela added 19 points and seven assists. Alex Nuyles had 12, rounding up the players in double digits. - Renee Fopalan/JST, GMA News

The scores:

BARAKO 97 - Garcia 16, Lastimosa 16, Pascual 13, Miranda 9, Intal 9, Pennisi 9, Salva 6, Lanete 6, Marcelo 5, Wilson 4, Salvador 2, Paredes 2, Hubalde 0.

BLACKWATER 82 - Faundo 23, Heruela 19, Nuyles 12, Gamalinda 8, Laure 6, Menor 4, Timberlake 3, Erram 2, Rodriguez 2, Ballesteros 2, Celiz 1, Tiongson 0, Artadi 0, Austria 0.

Quarters: 22-9, 41-30, 72-48, 97-82