EX-LOS ANGELES Laker DJ Mbenga won’t be going home winless as the Barako Bull Energy Colas nipped the Globalport Batang Pier, 96-87, in a battle of eliminated teams last night in the 38th PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
Barako Bull and Globalport ended the mid-season conference as the two worst teams. The Energy Colas bowed out with five wins and nine losses while the Batang Pier managed just two wins in 14 games.
Worse, Globalport finished its campaign on a shameful 11-game losing streak.
Allein Maliksi paced Barako Bull with 25 points and 12 rebounds. Josh Urbiztondo contributed 17 points and nine assists, while Mbenga finished 14 points and 15 rebounds.
Mark Macapagal and Danny Siegle were the other Energy Colas who scored in double gigures with 12 and 11 points, respectively.
Barako Bull erected a 16-point lead early in the final period but Globalport rallied in the closing minutes.
Mark Yee converted two three-point plays, while Gary David buried a triple that shoved Batng Pier to within 85-83.
Urbiztondo saved the day for Barako Bull by sinking a triple then added a layup to give his team a comfortable 90-83 lead in the final minutes.
David led Globalport with a game-high 28 points on a six-for-15 shooting from the three-point land.
David failed to get the needed support as Yee was the only other Batang Pier in twin digits with 11.
Globalport import Sylvester Morgan only managed seven points but had 20 rebounds.
BOX SCORES
BARAKO BULL (96)- Maliksi 25, Urbiztondo 17, Mbenga 14, Macapagal 12, Seigle 11, Monfort 7, Intal 5, Pennisi 5, Duncil 0, Kramer 0.
GLOBALPORT (87)- David 28, Yee 11, Aguilar 8, Miller 8, Morgan 7, Deutchman 7, Mandani 4, Aljamal 4, Salvador 4, Lingganay 2, Juntilla 2, Antonio 2, Belencion 0.
QUARTERSCORES: 20-23, 39-35, 69-56, 96-87. /EDITORIAL ASSISTANT CALVIN CORDOVA