Petron Flares in the Fourth Quarter, Burns Barako in the Opener

Petron Blaze rode to a huge fourth quarter onslaught as the Boosters rolled past the Barako Bull Energy, 101-88 to seize the game one of their best-of-three series yesterday at the PLDT MyDSL Philippine Cup at Mall of Asia Arena.

 Photo credit: pba.inquirer.net

Marcio L(–foul word(s) removed–)iter and Chris Lutz fueled Petron’s fight back in the payoff period to outcl(–foul word(s) removed–) the persevering Energy and move within a win of clinching a semis berth.

L(–foul word(s) removed–)iter waxed hot for 13 of his 17 points in the final frame on 3 of 4 shooting from down town while Lutz added 14 markers for the boosters who were caught off guard by the inspired play of the Barako in the first half.

“In the first half, I think we were kinda tentative in our shots and we didn’t know when to shoot the ball and when not to shoot the ball. But in the second half, I thought that we really shot the ball really well,” said Petron Blaze head coach Gee Abanilla. (Statement from pba.inquirer.net)

Cabagnot and reigning MVP Arwind Santos also contributed 17 points each for the Boosters, who got their bearings in the fourth and shot from all cylinders since then.

Energy is actually leading for the most part before the Petron’s wingman-combo done the damage.

Holding a precarious four point lead, veteran Willie Miller converted a three-point play to give Barako a 78-71 cushion early in the fourth.

But L(–foul word(s) removed–)iter and Lutz ignited Boosters’ 17-0 outburst to turn an eight-point deficit to 10-point advantage, 88-78, on a Santos jumper with exactly five minutes left in the game.

L(–foul word(s) removed–)iter and Alex Cabagnot then drilled in back-to-back three pointers with 2:11 remaining to pull away for good, 99-82.

Fajardo also had a solid outing with 15 markers 11 boards, six of his points coming in Petron’s rally in the third that earlier erased Barako’s 12-point lead.

Willie Miller and Ronjay Buenafe paced the Barako Bull with 17 points most coming in the Energy’s stunning second quarter.

The scores:

Petron (101) –L(–foul word(s) removed–)iter 17, Cabagnot 17, Santos 17, Fajardo 15, Lutz 14, Ross 10, Tubid 6, Lanete 4, Taha 1, Duncil 0, Kramer 0.

Barako (88) – Miller 17, Buenafe 17, Intal 15,Pena 9, Miranda 9, Wilson 8, Jensen 5, Maierhofer 3, Pennisi 3, Macapagal 2, Lastimosa 0, Marcelo 0.

Quarterscores: 20-22, 42-49, 67-73, 101-88

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