B-MEG STUNS ENERGY

THE B-Meg Llamados clawed back from an 11-point halftime deficit and eked out a close 88-86 win over the Barako Bull Energy last night in the 37th PBA Fiesta Cup at the Araneta Coliseum.

Joe De Vance scored 26 points and import Denzel Bowles added 19 as the Llamados took sole possession of the newly opened tournament with two wins in as many starts.

B-Meg went into the game fresh from another close win against the Meralco Bolts, 96-93.

James Yap chipped in 14 points for the Llamados, who trailed at the bend, 41-52.

B-Meg rallied in the third and reduced Barako Bull’s lead, 71-69, heading to the final period.

The two squads figured in a fierce battle in the fourth until the Llamados managed to erect a crucial four-point cushion, 87-83, with 34.3 seconds left.

Willie Miller kept the Energy in the game when he buried a three-pointer in the final 11.9 seconds.

Josh Urbiztondo split his charities in the next play and the Energy failed to convert in their offensive attack, pegging the final tally.

Dermarr Johnson paced the Energy with 21 points, Don Allado tallied 14 and Mick Pennisi scored 12 for the Energy, who failed to get a good follow-up to their 98-78 trouncing of the Alaska Aces in the opening day.

The Energy badly felt the offensive woes of Miller, who scored 25 points in their win against the Aces but could come up with nine markers against the Llamados.

BOX SCORES

B-MEG (88) – Devance 26, Bowles 19, Yap J. 14, Pingris 9, Intal 8, Urbiztondo 4, De Ocampo 3, Reavis 2, Yap R. 2, Barroca 1, Simon 0.

BARAKO (86)- Johnson 21, Allado 14, Pennisi 12, Miller 9, Tubid 8, Pena 7, Arboleda 5, Salvador 4, Lanete 2, Andaya 2, Najorda 2.QUARTERSCORES: 26-23, 41-52, 69-71, 88-86.