Willie Miller dished off an import-like performance, leading the Barako Bull Energy to a one-sided 98-78 win over the Alaska Aces at the start of the 37th PBA Fiesta Conference last night at the Araneta Coliseum.
Miller was hot from the field, going 11-for-14 from the field to finish with a game-high 25 points. The former Alaska stalwart also added six rebounds.
Former NBA standout Dermarr Johnson tallied 19 points as Barako had five players scoring in double figures.
Leo Najorda, Don Allado and new recruit Ronald Tubid scored 10 points each. The Energy got Tubid in a deal that sent rookie Dylan Ababou to the Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings.
Adam Parada paced the Aces with 19 points, while Cyrus Baguio and Mac Baracael added 13 and 11 markers, respectively.
The Aces went into the game looking for an auspicious start following a dismal campaign last conference, where they failed to get past the elimination round.
The previous conference saw long-time coach Tim Cone move to the B-Meg Llamados.
Because of the sudden change, Alaska faltered right at the starting gate and dropped its first six games.
In the brand-new conference, the Aces still could not take off to a good start as they could only keep up with the Energy in the first half.
Barako led by one at the end of the first quarter, 17-16, increased it to five at the bend, 39-34, before coasting in the final half.