IMPORT Solomon Alabi stressed the need for Barako Bull to get back to what it does best as it tries to regain lost momentum in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup.
With him serving as anchor, Alabi urged the Energy to play defense consistently, something which they failed to do in an 80-75 loss to Talk `N Text that snapped their three-game winning streak to start the conference.
“I try to tell them (Energy) I own the paint, that we should play defense and that if someone comes in there (at the painted area), I go out there and block it,” said the seven-foot Nigerian import, who leads the league in shot blocks with more than five swats per contest.
Alabi, averaging 20.3 points and 21.0 rebounds, hopes the team immediately recovers from its defensive mistakes as it tackles Globalport at 4:15 p.m. on Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum
The Energy, carrying a 3-1 record for solo third place, will be facing a Batang Pier side that is still smarting from an 84-86 loss to league-leader Meralco Bolts on Sunday.
The Batang Pier engaged the Bolts in a neck-and-neck battle, but lost in the endgame when Meralco import Josh Davis drained the game-winning basket at the buzzer to deal Globalport its third loss in five starts.
New import Calvin Warner debuted with 24 points and 16 rebounds for the Batang Pier, but he definitely needs to do more in his match-up against Alabi.
Sophomore guard Terrence Romeo and top FIl-Am rookie pick Stanley Pringle are expected to help Warner carry the scoring cudgels for GlobalPort, which is currently at the bottom half of the standings.
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