Energy pull off pivotal victory

Game today:

Ynares Center, Antipolo City

6:45 p.m.- B-Meg vs. Brgy. Ginebra

GABE FREEMAN scored 13 in the first quarter but could only managed eight the rest of the way.

Though Freeman tapered off in the late stages, the Barako Bull Energy still stayed clear of trouble as they upended the defending champions Talk ’N Text Tropang Texters, 84-77, in Game 1 of their best-of-five semifinal series of the 37th PBA Commissioner’s Cup yesterday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.

Picking up from where they left off in the quarterfinal series against the Alaska Aces, the Energy took the series-opener by dominating the fourth quarter, where they staged two crucial rallies to win the game.

Danny Seigle keyed the Energy’s endgame break-away by scoring seven of his 19 total points.

Tied at 58-all entering the fourth, the Energy started the fourth with a 7-2 run to take a 65-60 lead. Seigle had five points in that run.

Seigle scored two points and Wynnie Arboleda dropped two three-pointers in an 8-0 tear as Barako Bull posted its first double-digit lead in the game, 73-62, with 8:53 left.

With their veteran-laden crew, the Energy handled the Texters’ repeated rallies with poise to nail the rousing victory.

Dorian Peña came up big for Barako with 11 points and rebounds, helping his team outrebound the Texters, 66-45. Willie Miller scored 10 points for the Energy./EDITORIAL ASSISTANT CALVIN D. CORDOVA