Urbiztondo keys Barako Bull’s win over Air21; Painters rip Coffee Mixers

MANILA, Philippines – Josh Urbiztondo made a big explosion at the right time, keying Barako Bull’s amazing turnaround in the homestretch as the Energy Cola stunned the Air21 Express, 91-86, to tie the Petron Blaze Boosters at second place in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay tonight.

Urbiztondo poured in 13 of his 15 points in the last six minutes of play, fueling the Energy Cola’s incredible fightback from a 10-point deficit en route to their third win in four games in the mid-season tourney.

“My shots just won’t fall and everything was not going right for me. I have to give it to my teammates who urged me to just keep on playing,” said the pesky Fil-Am playmaker.

Urbiztondo was all over the floor, getting steals, dishing out assists and making his shots as Barako Bull uncorked a dizzying 17-to-nothing run from 71-81 down with 5:45 left.

The Express just had no answer for Urbiztondo, turning ice cold in the crunch and eventually suffering a second loss in three games.

 â€œThis team has character. They fight till the end. We did that tonight and we found a way to win,” said Barako consultant Rajko Toroman.

“These guys believe in the system that we’re playing. They’re working hard. They’re coming early in practice. And step by step, they’re picking up what we want them to play,” Toroman also said.

The Serbian coach was ecstatic with the stirring victory that they pulled off even with Jonas Villanueva going out early due to a hamstring pull.

JC Intal and Allein Maliksi stepped in and put in their shares as they partnered with Urbiztondo at the backcourt. The two former Ginebra players combined for 23 points.

Evan Brock topscored for the team with 23 but Urbiztondo proved to be their man of the moment as he went 3-of-4 from beyond the arc and finished with 15 points, five assists and four steals with the bulk of those numbers done in the final stretch.

Michael Dunigan led all scorers with 30 points, including clutch baskets that helped the Express open a 12-point lead early in the fourth quarter.

Air21 was very much in control, 71-81, before Urbiztondo presided over their endgame turnaround.

Barako Bull took the early initiative but Air21’s locals went to work in the second quarter, shoving the Express ahead, 47-46, at the half.

The Express erased an 11-point first-quarter deficit, racing ahead, 45-42, largely behind the efforts of KG Canaleta, Mike Cortez and Renren Ritualo.

Canaleta scored eight points and the Air21 team hit at a 7-of-21 clip as against Barako’s 10-of-16 shooting in the second period.

In the nightcap, Rain or Shine came well prepared against Denzel Bowles, holding down the reigning Best Import awardee to 12 points in a 93-65 rout of San Mig Coffee.

The Elasto Painters caught up with the Talk n Text Tropang Texters at 2-1 while sending the Mixers further down at 0-3.