Barako Bull notes

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 12^th 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.”