Baculi, Miller downplay heated exchange in Barako Bull victory

AKTV/Paolo Papa

In one emotional huddle in the face of a fierce rally from the Meralco Bolts, Barako Bull Energy coach Junel Baculi and star guard Willie Miller had a heated exchange of words.

Barako Bull went on to win, 81-79, and the two men downplayed the significance of the incident.

“That’s what you get when you have good veterans who’ve won championships,” said Baculi. “He showed some face, then I showed some face, but we played above those distractions.”

Miller, for his part, said that his fiery words weren’t directed at just Baculi.

“Para sa buong team yun,” Miller told InterAKTV. “Ang dami kasi naming turnovers, and parang hirap na hirap kami solusyunan. Yung ibang players kasi, hindi sumasabay sa pagtakbo at lahat sila gusto humawak ng bola.”

Barako Bull turned the ball over 23 times in the game, most of which led to easy layups and dunks for Meralco.

Curiously, it was Miller who commited the most number turnovers on the team with six. Import LeRoy Hickerson threw the ball away four times, while Ronald Tubid and Mick Pennisi had three turnovers. Except for Don Allado and Leo Najorda, all Barako Bull players fielded in by Baculi committed a turnover.

The Energy will have to win two straight games for a seat in the semifinals. Baculi said that limiting turnovers will be the key for the squad.

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