Powerade is the PBA's Team Die Another Day

Hi! My name is Sean Anthony.

For a minute there, the Barako Bull Energy looked like they were headed to another victory behind the efforts of a seemingly rejuvenated Danny Seigle (20 points in 25 minutes). Things were starting to go their way despite trailing most of the time-- Gary David was hurt, which pretty much meant that the Powerade Tigers' offense was supposed to go down the toilet right?

Wrong.

In yet another sickening display of half-assed effort, the Energy surrendered to the young Tigers who only had import Omar Sneed (24-15-8) to turn to in the second half. The JayR Quinahan doppleganger was making plays for his teammates, pretty much making a mockery of Don Allado's so-so defense and whichever power forward/ center was sent his way.

Seigle was not to be heard from again the rest of the way (perhaps due to injury or Coach Junel Baculi's decision-- who knows), Willie Miller's (10-5-5) gut was in the way of him chasing JVee Casio from turning to wherever the clutch rookie wanted to go and Ronald Tubid appeared to have been simply going through the motions.

It should also be noted that the Energy refused to go to import Leroy Hickerson (20) in the final four minutes of play, with them trailing by only six-seven points. The team insisted on running plays for their locals, none of which was named Seigle, which is why they'll be watching the rest of the Governor's Cup on television.

Time and again, we saw Sean Anthony (10) and little used yet surprisingly effective Josh Vanlandingham (18)  make the 50-50 plays that none of the Energy players could match. Casio was also helping out, running into the lane to pick up loose balls and offensive boards which, had it gone the Energy's way, could've won them the game.

Body language dictated the outcome of the game early, with the Tigers looking like the hungrier, younger team and the Energy pretty much, well, out of energy.

Going into tomorrow's knockout game, the Tigers (a.k.a. the new Ginebra) will need David to come back strong from today's injury and lead his team. His presence alone will help open up the Bolts' stifling interior defense anchored on big man Asi Taulava-- who is also suffering his own resurgence of sorts the last few games.

The nice thing going for the Tigers, is that they have a surplus of veteran, bruising bigs to throw at Taulava, and even against forwards Reynel Hugnatan, JayR Reyes and the like. While the big boys are bruising it out down low, look for David, Casio and Anthony to try and outscore their Bolts counterparts Mac Cardona, Sol Mercado and import Champ Oguchi (sorry, was reading a Tweet from Oguchi when I was writing this so...) Mario West.

It will be interesting to see how effective Sneed will be versus wily, defensive vet Hugnatan and the physical Taulava in the low post.

P.S.

Sean Anthony's raw game and endless energy is akin to Laguna Lakers/ Tanduay Rhum Masters/ Coca Cola-era Rudy Hatfield . Agree?