After Wynne Arboleda’s desperation
heave clanged off the rim, Barako Bull forward-center Don Allado hung his head
with his hands on his knees just a little above the halfcourt line. Allado
finished with nine points on 4-7 shooting to go with seven rebounds, two
assists, and two blocks. He was the last Energy Booster off the floor as
several Talk ‘N Text players came over to console him.
Allado is now in his 12th
year (and with his fifth team) in the league and is far off his early league
form when he crack a pair of Mythical Team selections. Inside Barako Bulls’
dugout, he sought out head coach Junel Baculi who was talking to me about the
match that saw their ouster from the Philippine Cup. “Thanks, coach,” he said
shaking Baculi’s hand. The former La Salle center wanted to say something more
but bit his lip. Outside the dugout, he spoke a bit with TNT’s Jared Dillinger
then told me, “I can still bring it if I am given the minutes. I know I can.”
Baculi smiled at my mention that
Barako Bull is for many players, a team for last chances. “Hindi naman siguro.
We have good players who will still be good for a few more years but we have
players of 33-35 years and more. But if we’re a team for last chances and that
motivates them that is good.”
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