Source: By Nelson Beltran (The Philippine Star)
Import Sammy Monroe dished out a solid double-double job and new local recruits Al Vergara, Rob Wainwright and Jerwin Gaco put in some significant help as the Energy Coffee Masters got off to a winning start after finishing dead last in the recent Philippine Cup.
“I really believe that with hard work, we can win games. The goal is to come out of the rut. We don’t want a repeat of our performance in the last conference,” said Baculi, who took over from Leo Isaac.
“It’s good to win our first game and it doesn’t stop there. It’s just the first game. There’s 17 more, so it’s still a long, long way to go,” Baculi added.
Monroe, an all-playoff teamer and co-playoff MVP with the Rochester Zeniths in the 2007-08 Premier Basketball League, had an impressive first game in the local pro league, churning out 39 points and 11 rebounds. He also had three assists in 39 minutes of action.
Also a veteran of the Mexican league where he once was a second leading scorer, Monroe personally clinched the Barako win with a rebound and three free throws in the last 11 seconds.
“I would like to think we’re going to finish on top. I hate to lose so expect me to play with all my heart every night. I’ll be aggressive and you’ll see a lot of entertainment,” said Monroe.
Vergara, a PBA returnee after a stint with the Singapore Slingers in the Asean Basketball League (ABL), stepped up for Barako, knocking in back-to-back baskets that gave the Energy Coffee Masters a six-point spread, 94-88, with 1:25 left to play.
“He’s been there before. He’s a veteran. It’s just a matter of giving him the confidence. He’s aching to prove that he belongs,” said Baculi of Vergara, who also had a brief stint with Purefoods in 2009.
Vergara finished with eight points, the same output delivered by Wainwright, another PBA returnee from the ABL. Wainwright went 2-of-2 from beyond the arc and added a two-pointer and three rebounds in 18 minutes of play.
The entire team was 37-of-69 from the field – the best for the franchise in the last six conferences.
Meanwhile, the Barangay Ginebra Kings and import Awvee Storey ended their first game together with a good story to tell.
Storey also had an impressive debut in the local pro league, coming through with 33 points and 16 rebounds to lead the Kings to a 97-90 win over the Talk n Text Tropang Texters.
Mark Caguioa, Ronald Tubid and Jayjay Helterbrand added at least 11 points each as the Kings kept their streak in their personal duel with the Texters since their controversial quarterfinal duel in the recent Philippine Cup.
“Storey is not that spectacular but he’s an all-around player. He’s got little of everything and we’re hoping he can complement the team,” said Ginebra coach Jong Uichico.
The Energy Foods and Drinks ball club struggled in the last three years, finishing 10th and last in the league’s last three tourneys.
Monroe poured in 17 points in the third quarter, fuelling a fiery charge that opened a double-digit lead.
Anthony Johnson and Kelly Williams spearheaded a fourth-quarter Sta. Lucia fightback but the Realtors failed to sustain their momentum, losing steam at the finish.
The Realtors, who trailed by 12 points four times, pulled even at 88 entering the last two minutes of the game. But Monroe canned in two free throws off Bitoy Omolon, then Vergara had his crucial back-to-back hits, giving the Coffee Masters a 94-88 margin.
Going down the drain was Johnson’s own double-double game of 41 points and 13 rebounds.
The scores:
Barako Coffee 97 – Monroe 39, Najorda 12, Vergara 8, Reyes 8, Wainwright 8, Menor 5, Dimaunahan 5, Duncil 4, Aljamal 4, Gaco 2, Faundo 2, Alonzo 0.
Sta. Lucia 93 – Johnson 41, Espinas 14, Reyes 13, Custodio 8, Williams 6, Mendoza 4, Misolas 3, Omolon 2, Aquino 2, Waters 0, Urbiztondo 0, Belano 0.
Quarterscores: 25-23, 44-46, 78-68, 97-93
Second Game
Ginebra 97 – Storey 33, Caguioa 19, Tubid 16, Helterbrand 11, Baguio 8, Menk 4, Intal 2, Cruz 2, Villanueva 2, De Ocampo 0.
Talk N’ Text 90 – Daniels 19, Cardona 19, De Ocampo 14, Carey 8, Alapag 8, Yee 7, Castro 7, Dillinger 6, Aban 2, Peek 0, Belasco 0.
Quarterscores: 15-21, 38-39, 64-63, 97-90
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