Eric Wise is nice: B Bull scores squeaker

MANILA, Philippines - Francois Wise, among the PBA best imports of all time, must’ve been proud half across the globe in Los Angeles, California.

Over here in the country last night, his son Eric made quite an impression in his debut as Barako Bull import, leading the Energy Cola to a 95-94 squeaker over the Meralco Bolts at the start of the 2014 PBA PLDT Home Telpad Governors Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The younger Wise piled up 33 points, 16 rebounds and six assists and himself made the winning free throw as the Energy Cola survived the horror of losing a 21-point lead (46-25) in their first game under coach Siot Tanquingcen.

With the count tied at 94 with 5.3 ticks left, the former Southern California Trojan fished a key foul from Meralco counterpart Terrence Williams and canned in the first foul shot that was all Barako needed to salvage the game.

“He’s not the flashiest and doesn’t have the best credentials, but somehow does the job,” said Tanquingcen of Wise, the second-generation import that has played in the local pro league (next to Tony Washam of B-Meg, son of Tony Washam Sr. of Gilbey’s Gin).

Wise, at least in his PBA debut, lived up to the playing reputation of his dad.

The older Wise, now a member of the LAPD elite force, had career averages of 36.7 points, 15 rebounds, 5.0 assists and 1.1 steals in five PBA seasons played with U-Tex, Tanduay, Manila Beer and Hills Bros from 1981-87. He ranked No. 6 in all-time scoring ladder with 4,332 points behind Norman Black, Bobby Parks, Sean Chambers, Lew Massey and Billy Ray Bates and No. 7 in all-time rebounds with 1,769 behind Black, Parks, Chambers, Byron Snake Jones, Billy Robinson and Andrew Fields.

Young Barako players Jeric Fortuna, Carlo Lastimosa and Dave Marcelo played long minutes under Tanquingcen and responded with solid jobs.

Fortuna topscored among the Barako locals with 13 points, including a booming trey that tied the count at 92-all with 1:01 left to play.

Lastimosa chipped in 10 markers and three rebounds while Marcelo contributed 14 big rebounds, six points, three assists and two blocks.

“Jeric, Carlo and Dave are good promising young players. I’ve mentioned that to the veterans and told them to mentor these young players,” said Tanquingcen.

“I’m telling everyone if you’re open take the shot. If not, move the ball around. It took courage for Jeric to take the crucial shot. It bodes well for him,” Tanquingcen also said.

Henry Walker came through with a near triple-double game with 27 points, 13 rebounds and nine assists and drew solid backup jobs from Sonny Thoss and Calvin Abueva as Alaska Milk drubbed San Miguel Beer, 94-87, later in the night.

The two teams actually figured in a battle until the Beermen faded out, going scoreless in the last 4:37 of play.