BULKY GUARD Willie Miller showed glimpses of the form that netted him two Most Valuable Player (MVP) trophies as he led the Barako Bull Energy to an impressive 100-86 win over the defending champions Talk ‘N Text Tropang Texters last night in the 37th PBA Philippine Cup at the Araneta Coliseum.
Miller torched his former team with a game-high 27 points on a high 12-for-17 shooting from the field.
Miller also had six assists as the Energy followed up their huge 88-75 victory against the barangayt Ginebra Kings with yet another big win to improve to 2-1 (win-loss).
Barako Bull built double-digit leads in the first half, including a 22-point bubble, but had to fend off several rallies by the hard-fighting Texters before escaping with the morale-boosting victory.
Miller helped Barako Bull thwart the rallying Talk ‘N Text by scoring 12 of his total output in the fourth.
The Texters moved within 65-71 early in the fourth when Miller scored five points in a 10-0 run that gave the Energy another double-digit spread, 81-65.
Talk ‘N Text moved within single digit several times in the closing minutes but Miller was there to deliver the needed baskets for Barako Bull.
Rookie Dylan Ababou churned in another fine performance as he scored 20 points, tying his output in Barako Bull’s victory against Ginebra. /EDITORIAL ASSISTANT CALVIN D. CORDOVA