PBA: Intal hits 24 as Barako outguns NLEX late

JC intal had 24 points and 11 rebounds to augment Liam McMorrow's 38-point, 22-rebound outburst to lead the Barako Bull Energy to a 101-96 victory over the NLEX Road Warriors on Wednesday.

"JC will always give you his 100%," said Barako head coach Koy Banal of his agile swingman. "I'm not asking for more. Even in practice he'll go all out."

The two teams were knotted at 70-all heading into the final frame. Freethrows from McMorrow and an Intal basket gave Barako a five-point lead with 2:09 left in the game. NLEX counldn't connect at the other end, with Asi Taulava, KG Canaleta and Alexander all missing their shots.

Things got interesting in the final minute, with Mark Cardona and Jonas Villanueva leading a five point swing to cut the lead to three, but McMorrow delivered the dagger with 13 seconds left to put the game away.

"Everybody stayed in the game; everybody stayed positive. We were able to turn around the game in the fourth," Banal added.

Dylan Ababou had a stellar outing off the bench for Barako, hitting 16 points. Joseph Yeo had just one fieldgoal in nine minutes for three points.

Michal Madanly had 26 points for the Road Warriors, while Jonas Villanueva had 10. Other import Kwame Alexander had 16 points and 10 boards off the bench, while Mark Cardona chipped in 11. - GMA News



The scores:

BARAKO 101 - McMorrow 33, Intal 24, Ababou 16, Lastimosa 6, Garcia 5, Lanete 5, Maierhofer 5, Yeo 3, Hubalde 3, Wilson 1, Pascual 0, Chua 0.

NLEX 96 - Madanly 26, Alexander 16, Cardona 11, Villanueva J. 10, Canaleta 9, Villanueva E. 6, Lingganay 5, Taulava 5, Borboran 3, Ramos 3, Raymundo 2, Arboleda H. 0.

Quarters: 29-19, 56-42, 70-70, 101-96