Undefeated no more: Barako Bull takes down Alaska

MANILA, Philippines – The Barako Bull Energy Cola entered their game on November 19, Wednesday, as the underdogs. They had a 1-5 record and were about to face the remaining undefeated team in the PBA.

Not many might have picked them to win considering how good the Alaska Aces have been in the 2014-2015 PBA Philippine Cup. But when the final buzzer rang, it was Barako Bull that was on the winning side of the scoreboard after defeating Aces, 85-78, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

“I just have to hand it over to the players. They came out ready to play. We did not do something extraordinary with regards to the game plan,” said Barako Bull head coach Koy Banal during the post-game media session.

“We just made sure that [everybody] stayed focus, stayed sharp throughout the game.”

Denok Miranda finished with 21 big points, and hit the game-clinching jumper over JVee Casio’s outstretched arms with 50 seconds to go to deliver his team only their second victory this conference.

Barako now stands at 2-5, which still keeps them in the lower echelon of the 2014-2015 PBA Philippine Cup standings. But the win gives Coach Banal’s team a reason to be confident as they move forward to the rest of the elimination round.

“Everybody’s contributing [in little ways]… just for us to stay together,” he said about his team.

“It’s hard with the kind of materials we have,” he said about his team making a run at a playoff seed. “[But], again, everything is possible to those who believe. If we can believe that, [and if] we will mix it up with hardwork, I think it’s possible.”

Miranda had a near flawless game, making 8 of his 10 attempts from the field and going 4-of-5 from downtown. “Kung may [Calvin] Abueva ang Alaska, we have Denok Miranda,” Banal said about his leading scorer.

(If Alaska has Calvin Abueva, we have Denok Miranda.)

Second year guard RR Garcia had 18 points and 3 assists, while Jake Pascual continued his strong performance this conference with 12 points and 9 rebounds. Chico Lanete also played well with 10 points on 4-of-9 shooting.

“[The] players just came out ready, ready to play,” Banal said.

Barako took a 20-point lead to start the second half, but Alaska slowly chipped away their lead.

Early in the fourth period, a put-back basket by Vic Manuel and triple by Dondon Hontiveros cut the Energy Cola’s lead to four, 67-63, with about 9 minutes to go in the game.

The Aces had a lot of open looks from downtown the rest of the quarter, as Barako opted to pack the paint and avoid Alaska from getting easy interior baskets. Fortunately for them, their gamble paid off as Hontiveros and company continuously missed their shots from outside.

A layup by Willy Wilson put the Energy Cola up 79-71 with 1:50 to go. A minute later, Miranda’s jumper sealed the game.

Barako will aim to win a third straight game when they take on the Talk ‘N Text Tropang Texters on Sunday, November 23.

“It’s going to be a different story on Sunday,” Banal said.

Alaska was led by Abueva, who finished with 16 points, 12 rebounds, and 7 assists, but also threw away 6 turnovers. Casio put up 13 points and 5 dimes, while Manuel came off the bench and registered 15 points and 7 boards.

Sonny Thoss made his return from a foot injury, but struggled with only 2 points in 22 minutes. Cyrus Baguio was ice cold from the field, putting up 3 points on 1-of-9 shooting.

As a team, the Energy Cola shot 42% from the field and limited the Aces to 39%. Coach Banal’s team also did a good job of forcing 19 Alaska turnovers that led to 15 points.

The Aces, now 6-1 but still atop the conference standings, will look to bounce back against the GlobalPort Batang Pier on Saturday, November 22, in Cagayan de Oro City.

Scores:

Barako Bull (85): Miranda 21, Garcia 18, Pascual 12, Lanete 10, Intal 8, Lastimosa 7, Wilson 6, Hubalde 2, Pennisi 1

Alaska (78): Abueva 16, Manuel 15, Casio 13, Hontiveros 8, Jazul 8, Menk 5, Banchero 4, Exciminiano 4, Baguio 3, Thoss 2

Quarter Scoring: 20-18, 49-31, 65-54, 85-78

Here are more photos of the game taken by Nuki Sabio/PBA Images

– Rappler.com