Ex-Gilas players lead Powerade past Barako Bull

Ex-Gilas players lead Powerade past Barako Bull

by rick olivares

December 6, 2011

Smart Araneta Coliseum

When the Philippine Cup tipped off, the Barako Bull Energy Boosters and the Powerade Tigers were beating some good teams and many quarters complimented both sides for their fortuitous draft to go with veteran savvy.

But since their great start, both squads have cooled off rather mightily. “I think teams have adjusted to them already,” volunteered Barangay Ginebra assistant coach Allan Caidic while watching the two sides battle one another.

And how does one adjust to the unconventional Sean Anthony?

Not particularly athletic nor graceful in his movements, the 6’4” Fil-Canadian and one-time Smart Gilas Pilipinas hopeful scored 14 points including three free throws in the final minute of play to escort Powerade to a 99-95 win over Barako Bull.

He also scored on a putback of his own miss to give Powerade the lead for good, 53-52, at the 7:44 mark of the third quarter as the Tigers built enough of a lead to hold back the repeated rallies of the Energy Boosters.

Four ex-Gilas players all played a sterling role in determining the match’s outcome. Marcio Lassiter, the Tigers’ second pick of this year’s draft scattered 20 points while point guard and top draft pick JV Casio added 15 points including six in the last period.

On the other side, Barako’s Gilas veteran, Dylan Ababou scored all 11 of his points in a dizzying finish but his team fell short.

Powerade head coach Bo Perasol was pleased with the win as the Tigers finally won a close match. “The five wins we had were blowouts and the five we could have won went down the wire. If we can't win down the wire, we can't expect to win in the playoffs. This game is a good test because we have to know how to win down the wire," he said. "Whether it be Talk ‘N Text, B-MEG or Petron, these teams are going to be tough to contend with. So we need to know how to win close games. Maybe part of the reason is most of my players being young. But these guys are experienced, including our rookies."

The trio of Lassiter, Anthony, and Casio combined for 52 points and was the kind of effort that Perasol envisioned when he landed these youthful players. Powerade also played better as a team by dishing out 20 assists, five more than the Tigers, to go with 16 steals.

The veteran-laded Barako saw Willie Miller, Danny Seigle, and Sunday Salvacion put up 48 points on the board.

Powerade 99 – Lassiter 20, Anthony 17, Casio 15, David 14, Lingganay 13, Kramer 6, Adducul 6, Antonio 4, Allera 2, Crisano 2, Vanlandingham 0.

Barako Bull 95 – Miller 19, Seigle 17, Salvacion 12, Ababou 11, Pennisi 9, Peña 6, Gatumbato 5, Najorda 5, Allado 4, Arboleda 4, Artadi 3, Aquino 0.

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Sean Anthony trained for Smart Gilas for a few weeks leading to the national squad's first foreign tournament, the 2008 FIBA Asia Champions Cup in Jakarta, Indonesia.