The Notebook - Meralco vs Barako Bull

Random Notes from Meralco vs Barako Bull 12/1/10

• Final Score Meralco def Barako Bull 73-70
• Both teams are motley crews of former franchise players, former first round draft picks, former rotation guys from top teams, undersized big men and ex-Red Lions,
• During the Ginebra vs B-Meg game last Nov. 28, we mentioned on-the-air that teams don't need to score baskets to make the game exciting. Meralco and Barako Bull, however, took it to the extreme.
• Meralco shot 38% FG. Barako Bull shot 33% FG.
• Maybe it's just me but Meralco's Gabby Espinas is playing like Paul Millsap out there. He failed to reach double-digits in points only twice this conference. With conference highs of 21 points (vs Powerade) and 14 rebounds (vs SMB), Espinas has been the real "Rock" of this team. His regular statline is awesome: he'll provide points, rebounds, a couple of assists, a steal and a pair of blocks per night while shooting 50% from the field. See...Gabo is the Paul Millsap of Meralco!
• But, while I say Espinas is the Millsap of Meralco, I am not saying Meralco is the Utah Jazz of the PBA.
• Often maligned for his decision-making on the floor, Barako's Paolo Hubalde has put together two note-worthy games. Against TNT last Nov. 26, he had 13 points, 3 rebounds and 10 assists. Against Meralco, he had 13 points, % rebounds, 7 assists and 3 steals. While he's shooting 12 out of 17 in the last two games, he has also turned the ball over 8 times in his last two assignments.
• In the meantime, Mac Cardona continues to be his enigmatic self. He led Meralco to victory with 21 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists. But he also committed 7 turnovers (not the first time for Cardona to throw away at least 5 possessions in a game this conference).
• Barako Bull is now 2-10. It's not a team built to go 10 and 2.
• Will Sunday Salvacion end the conference with Barako Bull?
• Meralco is now 6-5 and is on a 4-game winning run. Let's see if Asi Taulava's return intensifies the Bolts' surge. MH