PBA: Yeo erupts for 28 as Barako beats Meralco to remain unbeaten

The Barako Bull Energy recovered from a 33-18 first quarter deficit and defeated the Meralco Bolts, 105-99, on Sunday.

"First time that we started slow, we allowed Meralco to out-hustle us early on," admitted Barako coach Koy Banal. "Hodge and Anthony and Emmett really tried to outrun our men. Our guys didn't give up. We were able to hold them to 19 points in the second quarter."

Banal also praised Willie Wilson for shadowing Meralco's import in the second half:

"In the second half, Willie Wilson did a tremendous job against Emmett. He really sacrificed a lot in guarding Emmett."

Joseph Yeo led the Energy with 28 points in 30 minutes and a team high six assists. The Ninja was also perfect from the charity stripe with seven makes. Liam McMorrow took charge of the starters with 19 markers and 23 boards, while Jake Pascual and Justin Chua chipped in 12 each.

"I'm so glad that Yeo went to us," Banal said of his team's new acquisition. "When I knew he was going to be traded, wala nang isip isip. Joseph was fantastic. We improved on our three point shooting, from 21 to 33 pecent [because of him].

Meralco led by as much as 19 points in the first, but the Energy limited them to just 19 in the second to trim the deficit to just 11 at the break, 52-41. In the second half, the Energy outscored their opponents 34-21, as a Justin Chua make gave Barako a two-point lead heading into the final frame.

The teams were separated by just two points heading into the last 67 seconds after Cliff Hodge hit a three, but Jake Pascual responded with a conversion at the other end, while two charities from Yeo nudged Barako ahead by six, 105-99, with 36 ticks left. Back to back misses from Danny Ildefonso doomed Meralco as Barako secured the victory.

Andre Emmett topscored for Meralco with 32 points, while Cliff Hodge had 17. No other Meralco player registered double figures, with Mike Cortez and Gary David leading the bench with nine each. - GMA News