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Source: ABS-CBN News

-- Barako Bull psyched out defending champion Talk N’ Text with a highly physical game to take the series lead in their Best-of-5 semifinal showdown on Saturday’s PBA Commissioner’s Cup.

The Energy hammered out an 85-81 victory against the Tropang Texters, who are just a game away from getting eliminated from their race to the finals.

Barako now hold a 2-1 edge against Talk N’ Text in their semis duel.

The Texters were expected to carry the momentum of their Game 2 win where they routed the Energy, 123-98.

But Barako came out with spunk and grit in Game 3, to ruin Talk N’ Text’s play.

Mick Pennisi led the Energy with 15 points through 4-of-8 shooting from the field.

He also collared 8 rebounds while outplaying Texters’ import Donnell Harvey.

“He's very tough, he's a rebounder, he's physical, I'm just a little bit longer... The last couple of games I've been on the shooting slot, luckily I hit a couple today for the team,” said Pennisi.

Barako coach Junel Baculi said the game showed which team was hungrier for the victory.

“The players showed they want to win this one… They showed it, displayed it, we got away with the lucky win,” he said.

The Energy surprised the Texters by taking the halftime lead, 42-31.

Along the way, Talk N’ Text lost Jimmy Alapag after the fleet-footed point guard got ejected from the game over an altercation with Barako’s Ronald Tubid.

Barako’s lead went as high as 21 points, but this was cut down by Talk N’ Text’s furious run in the fourth quarter.

Kelly Williams’ free throws brought the Texters at striking distance, 82-81, with 57 seconds remaining.

But Willie Miller was able to fish a foul off Harvey Carrey in the ensuing play. His charities brought the scores to 84-81.

Williams fired a potential equalizer from the rainbow territory but missed.

Pennisi went for the rebound and was awarded two free throws after a contact with Harvey.

He split his charities to make it 85-81, 26 seconds remaining.

Coach Chot Reyes drew a play for Williams, but the latter missed his undergoal stab.

This allowed Tubid to secure possession for Barako until the end of regulation.

Gabe Freeman topscored the Energy with 27, while Miller finished with 17 points.

Texters’ reinforcement Harvey got 19 points. Teammate Harvey Carey added 15 points for Talk N’ Text.

Baculi said they hope to close out the series on Monday when they again play Talk N’ Text in Game 4.

The Energy is expected to make new adjustments to keep the Texters guessing.

“We still have to go back to the drawing board, look at the tape and see what else we can adjust to win Game 4… for us the key is Game 4. If we give that to Talk N' Text on Monday, mahihirapan kami to win Game 5,” said Baculi.

Box scores:

Barako 85 - Freeman 27, Miller 17, Pennisi 15, Seigle 14, Tubid 8, Salavador 2, Pena 2, Aquino 0, Najorda 0, Allado 0, Arboleda 0.


Talk N’ Text 81 - Harvey 19, Carey 15, Alapag 14, Castro 11, Williams 7, Fonacier 7, Dillinger 3, Reyes 3, De Ocampo 2, Gamalinda 0.

Quarters: 19-17, 42-31, 67-57, 85-81