The Barako Bull Energy bagged its second straight victory while the reeling Petron Blaze Boosters suffered a third straight setback with a, 94-80 decision last night in the 37th PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Araneta Coliseum.
The Energy tied the Alaska Aces for the fifth and sixth spots by improving to 4-4 (win-loss), boosting their chances in the tight race for a playoff spot.
Only six teams will advance to the playoff round.
The Boosters, despite bringing in a new import, absorbed their third straight loss and dropped to 3-5, slumping to a two-way tie at eighth and ninth spots with the Meralco Bolts.
Coming off a triple double performance in Barako Bull’s, 89-82 win over the Bolts last Saturday night, Rodney White once again turned in big numbers by exploding for 41 points on a 16-for-29 shooting clip from the filed. White also added 22 big rebounds.
Petron’s new reinforcement, Will McDonald, was a big disappointment in his debut as he managed just seven points.
The Boosters sacked original import Nick Fazekas in the hopes of staying in contention but McDonald failed to live up to expectations, at least in his first game.
Willie Miller, Mick Pennisi and Ronald Tubid backed White by scoring 16, 11 and 10 markers, respectively.
Alex Cabagnot topped the Boosters with 17 points, while Arwind Santos and Joseph Yeo finished with 13 and 11, respectively.
BOX SCORES
BARAKO (94) – White 41, Miller 16, Pennisi 11, Tubid 10, Allado 7, Arboleda 3, Weinstein 2, Aquino 2, Seigle 2, Najorda 0, Pena 0.
PETRON (80)- Cabagnot 17, Santos 13, Yeo 11, Guevarra 9, Mc Donald 7, Miranda 7, Ildefonso 7, Reyes 5, Baclao 2, Rizada 2, Al-Hussaini 0, Lanete 0, Tugade 0. QUARTERSCORES: 30-20, 52-32, 74-52, 94-80.