PBA: Barako Bull pummels import-less Petron, 94-80

Barako Bull capitalized on the ejection of Petron import Will McDonald as the Energy cruised to a 94-80 triumph over the Blaze Boosters Wednesday night in the PBA Commissioner's Cup at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum. McDonald—obviously annoyed by Mick Pennisi's tough, in-your-face defensive effort— was ejected from the game after throwing the ball at the Barako big man's head. Pennisi reacted a few seconds late before falling down to the floor. McDonald was slapped with a Flagrant Foul Penalty 2. But apart from McDonald's ejection and Pennisi's delayed reaction that got the Petron import ejected, Barako Bull's hot shooting highlighted the first 20 minutes of the match. The Energy erected a 30-20 lead after one quarter before enjoying a 52-32 cushion at the turn. Petron managed to cut what was once a seemingly insurmountable lead to single digits, with Joseph Yeo's five-point swing had the Boosters within 57-48. Ronald Tubid's timely three-pointers, however, kept Petron at bay. A triple by the former University of the East Red Warrior touched off a 17-4 exchange to hike Barako's lead back to 20-plus points, 74-52, with one quarter left to play. Barako protected that lead until the final buzzer. White, who submitted a triple-double in Barako's 89-82 win over Meralco over the weekend, scattered 41 points on 16-of-29 field goal shooting and grabbed 22 rebounds this time. The Energy improved to 4-4 and needs to win their final game against Barangay Ginebra on Sunday to secure a playoff berth. Two-time Most Valuable Player Willie Miller had 16 points, four rebounds and seven assists while Pennisi and Tubid added 11 and 10 markers. Alex Cabagnot tallied 17 points, seven rebounds, three assists, four assists and one block in Petron's losing cause while Arwind Santos and Joseph Yeo, who issued a team-high seven assists, combined for 25 markers and 15 boards. Petron suffered its third straight loss for a 3-5 card and the Boosters need to beat defending champion Talk 'N Text next week to keep their playoff hopes alive. — JVP, GMA News