Barako Bull rallies past Globalport

THE BARAKO Bull Energy Colas came back from 15 points down at the start of the fourth quarter to hack out a thrilling 98-97 win over the reeling Globalport Batang Pier last night in the 38th PBA Governors’ Cup at the Araneta Coliseum.

Import Michael Singletary and veteran forward Danny Seigle combined forces in the big fightback, spearheading Barako Bull’s impressive win that allowed it to tie the Meralco Bolts at second place in the team standings with similar 4-2 (win-loss) records.

Singletary and Seigle combined for 24 points in the final quarter, helping the Energy Colas erase an 83-68 deficit.

For failing to protect leads of as many as 18 points, Globalport tasted its third straight defeat to drop to 2-4.

Globalport last tasted the lead at 94-91 on Markeith Cummings’ basket in the final 3:06.

Singletary converted a split free throw before Mark Macapagal sank a booming triple as the Energy Colas finally stole the lead, 96-94, with 1:55 to go.

Globalport was able to move to within 97-98 in the final 30.0 seconds and even had the chance to win it when Singletary was forced to take a long three-pointer inside the final seconds.

Cummings collared the defensive rebound but instead of calling a timeout, passed the ball to Sol Mercado, who hurriedly attempted a well-guarded, three-point shot that hit the board before rimming out as time expired.

Cummings topped Globalport with 40 points while Mercado, Gary David and Yousef Taha added 16, 11 and 10 makers, respectively.

BOX SCORES:

BARAKO BULL (98)- Singletary 43, Macapagal 11, Seigle 10, Buenafe 9, Intal 7, Pennisi 5, Pena 5, Monfort 4, Cruz 2, Villanueva 2, Jensen 0, Weinstein 0, Gonzales 0.

GLOBALPORT (97)- Cummings 40, Mercado 16, David 11, Taha 10, Washington 9, Belencion 4, Miller 3, Mandani 2, Salvador 2, Hayes 0, Thiele 0.

QUARTERSCORES: 23-27, 43-55, 68-83, 98-97. /EDITORIAL ASSISTANT CALVIN D. CORDOVA