Cellar-dwelling Barako Bull pushed San Miguel Beer to the limit, forcing the Beermen to rely on
their massive experience to subdue the Energy Boosters, 94-81, Friday night at the Araneta Coliseum
to grab the solo lead anew in the Philippine Cup.

The Beermen, who bounced back from a 107-110 loss against Rain or Shine last Sunday which snapped
their five-game winning streak, used a 14-2 run in the fourth quarter to hold off the fiery charge
by stubborn Energy Boosters.

Arwind Santos had 19 points and 10 rebounds for his conference-leading fifth double-double and
Danny Seigle scored 10 of his 17 points in the fourth quarter, making all his seven shots including
three 3-point shots as the Beermen improved to a 7-1 [win-loss] record.

“We didn’t play with urgency. I kept reminding the players to stay focused. We can’t play off
and on and expect to win,” said SMB coach Ato Agustin, obviously not pleased with his troops’
effort.

But he was all praises for Seigle, who had his best effort so far in the conference.

“I think he wants to prove something. But it’s a good thing he stepped up and played a good
game [especially in the fourth],” Agustin said.

After falling behind by double digits early in the opening quarter, Barako Bull outscored San
Miguel Beer in the second and third periods to stay in the game.

A floater by Reed Juntilla to open the fourth gave the Energy Boosters a 68-67 lead until poor
shooting and a couple of turnovers stymied their momentum. The Beermen outscored Barako Bull, 27-15,
in the fourth.

It was the third consecutive loss and sixth in eight games overall for Barako Bull, endangering its
bid to make the playoffs.

Mark Isip, who has exhibited remarkable improvement in his game since being traded to Barako Bull
last season, led all scorers with 22 points. But he didn’t get enough offensive support from his
teammates with Sunday Salvacion the only other Barako Bull player in double figures with 17.

San Miguel Beer shot 57 percent from the field to build a 20-6 advantage midway in
the first quarter on a basket by Jay Washington, who had 11 points and two blocks.

Isip and Salvacion warmed up in the next period as the Barako Bull outscored SMB, 43-37, in the
middle quarters while engaging the Beermen to 10 deadlocks and 10 led changes the rest of the way.

The game appeared to be going down the wire after Juntilla gave Barako Bull a 68-67 lead – that
turned out to be the Energy Boosters last stand – but Joseph Yeo quickly answered with a 12-foot
jumper in the next play and Seigle made two free throws.

After a miss and turnover by Barako Bull, Dondon Hontiveros (16 points, 3 assists) scored on a
lay-up, Danny Ildefonso converted an assist by Dennis Miranda after another error by the Energy
Boosters before Seigle scored again in traffic to complete a 10-0 run that gave SMB a 77-68 lead.
(DBC)

The scores:

San Miguel Beer 94 - Santos 19, Seigle 17, Hontiveros 16, Washington 11, Cabagnot 9, Pennisi 6,
Ildefonso 5, Yeo 4, Miranda 4, Racela 3, Canta 0, Tugade 0.

Barako Bull 81 - Isip 22, Salvacion 17, Bono 9, Andaya 8, Juntilla 7, Cruz 7, Yee 4, Dimaunahan 3,
Hubalde 2, Wainwright 2, Alonzo 0, Duncil 0.

Quarterscores: 30-23, 47-45, 67-66, 94-81