PBA: RR Garcia shoots Barako Bull past NLEX

Garcia led Barako Bull to its fourth win in five games. KC Cruz

RR Garcia scored 22 points and made several key plays down the stretch to lead Barako Bull to victory over NLEX, 92-87, on Tuesday at Mall of Asia Arena.

 

Garcia grabbed a key offensive rebound before making a basket with 29.8 seconds remaining to give his team an 86-81 advantage. The former Far Eastern University stalwart then stripped Mac Cardona in the ensuing play. 

 

Cardona scored six quick points to keep NLEX within striking distance, but Barako Bull held steady from the free throw line to put the Road Warriors away.

 

With the victory, Barako Bull has formally clinched a spot in the quarterfinals of the 2015 Philippine Cup.

 

"Our motivation coming in is how to use this in the coming playoffs," said Barako Bull coach Koy Banal. "Winning the game is stretching ourselves coming into the playoffs."

 

The team has now won four of its last five games after opening the conference with five straight defeats under Banal, who took over the team days before the start of the tournament. 

 

"The first five games, we were not playing defense," said Banal. "(Winning) gives us positive signs of what we're trying to do as a team."

 

NLEX lost for the sixth time in seven games to fall to 3-7. — JST, GMA News

 

The scores:

 

Barako Bull 92 -- Garcia 22, Lanete 13, Wilson 13, Pennisi 12, Intal 10, Marcelo 7, Pascual 6, Lastimosa 5, Miranda 4, Pena 0, Salvador 0, Paredes 0.

 

NLEX 87 -- Cardona 23, Taulava 17, Borboran 9, Ramos 9, R. Villanueva 8, J. Villanueva 6, Canaleta 4, H. Arboleda 3, Lingganay 2, Baloria 2, Apinan 1, Raymundo 0, W. Arboleda 0.

 

Quarters: 18-18; 41-39; 62-66; 92-87.