Energy Boosters rally from 24 down to beat Talk 'N Text

MANILA, Philippines - Barako Bull pulled off the most spectacular come-from-behind win of the season as it stunned Talk `N Text, 135-133, in Sunday’s Motolite-PBA Fiesta Cup game at the Araneta Coliseum. Import Scooter McFadgon ignited the Energy Boosters’ comeback from 24 points down in the last eight minutes by scoring 16 of his 37 points in the final period. Jojo Duncil then capped the amazing feat by canning in two free throws with 5.5 seconds to go to seal the Barako Bull’s second win in six outings. “Hindi naman masamang tsumamba e," said Barako Bull mentor Leo Isaac later. It was the biggest come-from-behind victory in the league in two years since Magnolia overcame a 25-point deficit in a 96-93 decision over, ironically, Talk 'N Text during the 2007-08 Fiesta Conference. The Tropang Texters lost for the first time in their last three games. They are now 2-3 overall. For a while, it appeared the reigning Philippine Cup champion was on its way to notching a third straight win after leading by as many as 24 points, 121-97, with eight minutes left in the game on a three-point play by Tiras Wade. The Tropang Texters were still comfortably ahead, 132-120, in the final two minutes when disaster struck. Jimmy Alapag bungled a three-on-one fastbreak following a passing error, paving the way for a McFadgon three-pointer at the other end that sparked a telling 13-0 run that suddenly shoved Barako Bull in front, 133-132, with 36.9 seconds to go. Harvey Carey then tied the count at 133 with a split of his charities off Larry Rodriguez’s sixth and final foul. But the Energy Boosters won’t be denied as Duncil came to the rescue. The former Santo Tomas stalwart was fouled by Mac Cardona while driving to the basket, and coolly sank the two free throws given to him for the marginal score. The Tropang Texters then bungled a chance to sent the game into overtime as Ranidel de Ocampo missed on a drive at the buzzer. "Down by 24, we just told ourselves not to give up, and we just kept on pushing and pushing," said Isaac. -GMANews.TV