Barako Bull mentor repays Peña for trust

MANILA, Philippines - Barako Bull coach Junel Baculi paid tribute to burly center Dorian Peña for playing his heart out in the Energy’s 84-77 win over Talk ‘N’ Text in Game 1 of their PBA Commissioner’s Cup semifinal series the other night even as the 33-year-old veteran from Coppin State disagreed with his demotion from starter to reliever.

“Dorian was our starting center until I tweaked our first five a little bit in Game 3 of the quarterfinals against Alaska,” said Baculi. “We were outsized by Alaska so we brought in Mick (Pennisi) to start at center. When I told Dorian about it, he didn’t agree but told me I’m the coach so I should know best. All I asked from Dorian was his trust and he gave it.”

Peña came off the bench after 11 straight starts in Barako’s 106-85 win over the Aces to clinch the series at the Big Dome last Sunday. Then, in the upset over the Texters last Tuesday, he won Best Player honors for delivering 11 points and 12 rebounds in 23 solid minutes as a reliever. Baculi gave Peña six more minutes of playing time over his conference average of 17.1.

“I’m not surprised how Dorian played, I expect that kind of game from him,” said Baculi. “He proved himself against Talk ‘N’ Text and played a key role in our victory. My advice to Dorian is don’t overexert in the first period because we need him strong down the stretch.”

Baculi said he expects Talk ‘N’ Text to bounce back with a vengeance in Game 2 at the Ynares Center in Antipolo tonight even as Kelly Williams is sidelined with a fractured cheekbone. “That 13-day rest was a factor,” said Baculi, referring to the Texters’ long wait before the playoffs. “Their shooting was off. Jimmy (Alapag) didn’t score – which was improbable – and Ranidel (de Ocampo) had only four points. That can’t happen twice in a row. Our 2-3 zone defense worked but the problem is once they hit their outside shots, we’re in trouble. We’ll be careful to plug the holes in Game 2 because their shooting will definitely improve. They’re quicker and younger but we’re bigger so we’ll take advantage of Willie (Miller), Danny (Seigle) and Dorian posting up.”

Baculi said Ronald Tubid will play tonight. Tubid hurt his left shoulder in chasing a loose ball late in last Tuesday’s game and didn’t finish on the court. “Ronald’s a fighter,” said Baculi. “His shoulder was sore and he was tired so I didn’t bring him back in the last few minutes. But he should be able to play in Game 2.”

Texters coach Chot Reyes said his team will fight back, literally. “We need to defend their two MVPs – Tubid and (Wynne) Arboleda, self-defense, that is, as they’re hell bent on decimating our lineup,” he said. “Williams is out with a fractured cheekbone from Tubid, (Jayson) Castro with a badly poked eye from Arboleda.” Reyes said he doubts if Williams can come back to play even late in the semis and may sit out the rest of the conference.

Baculi said Seigle’s resurrection has brought life back to the Energy. “Danny has a big advantage playing three because he can post up anybody in the league from that position,” he said. “When he played for coach Jong (Uichico) at San Miguel, Danny even played two. His ability to play different positions is a big edge. Players like Danny exist for the playoffs.”

Baculi said his instructions for Game 1 were basic. “I told our bigs to pound it inside, to challenge their interior defense,” he said. “If they penetrate, don’t help because they like to dribble drive then pass off or kick out and that’s when we struggle and scramble to recover. Talk ‘N’ Text is a dribble-penetration team and doesn’t usually go to post options. Maybe, in Game 2, they’ll go to (Donnell) Harvey and Ranidel more at the post just to vary their offense. We’ll just adjust our defense as the game progresses.”

In Game 1, Barako held the league’s No. 1 offensive team to only 77 points, down from an average of 101.8. “Our focus was on transition defense,” he said. “But if they break away, I told the guys to just let them score because we’ll just get tired running after them. We need to preserve our legs and that’s why we have to play smart. We can’t rely on a rotation of eight or nine players, we’ve got to extend it to two more. Leo (Najorda) was sick in Game 1 and we couldn’t maximize his minutes. He gives us an extra body in defense and we hope he’ll be ready for Game 2.”

As for import Gabe Freeman, Baculi said he’s a perfect complement to the Energy’s locals. “Of course, we’re willing to sign him up for the third conference if he measures 6-5 or below which we hope he will under the PBA’s strict sizing guidelines,” said Baculi. “I’ve asked him to pace himself and not burn out early. In Game 1, he shot 13 points in the first quarter then tapered off. He gives us a big lift.”

Baculi said it’s too early to celebrate. “We just won one game and it’s a best-of-five series,” he said. “We’ve got to be more prepared for Talk ‘N’ Text in Game 2.”