Leads Barako Bull to victory over Alaska in Game 1 of PBA quarterfinal series

Barako Bull’s new import laid a big fat egg in his debut, but the Energy still found a way to dominate the Alaska Aces, 103-90, at the start of their best-of-three quaterfinal series of the 37th PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Araneta Coliseum.

Reggie Okosa missed all his seven attempts and went scoreless in 11 minutes of action. The 6-foot-10 import, who replaced prolific scorer Rodney White, did not even play in the entire second half.

But even without their import, it was in the final half where the Energy completely dominated the sluggish Aces.

Ronald Tubid led the Energy’s strong locals showing by scoring a game-high 24 points, while veteran forward Danny Seigle finished with a personal conference-high 21 points as Barako Bull moved a game away from reaching the best-of-seven semifinal round.

Don Allado pitched in 16 points, Willie Millers added 14, while Leo Najorda had a strong showing off the bench with 12 markers.

With Barako Bull’s import struggling mightily, Alaska dominated the game early and built a 27-17 lead after the first period.

The Energy recovered in the next period and eventually overtook the Aces when Allado sank a buzzer-beating three-point shot from near midcourt, giving Barako Bull a 48-47 halftime lead.

The Energy took a slim 79-74 lead into the final period but Seigle and  Najorda combined forced in a 14-4 run to give their team a 93-82 lead  in the final 4:14 minutes.

Settling for low-percentage outside shots and failing to defend well, the Aces failed to recover from that Barako Bull onslaught, putting themselves in a must-win situation on Wednesday to extend the series.

Cyrus Baguio paced the Aces with 20 points.

BOX SCORES

BARAKO (103)- Tubid 24, Seigle 21, Allado 16, Miller 14, Najorda 12, Pena 8, Arboleda 6, Gatumbato 2, Okosa 0, Weinstein 0, Pennisi 0.

ALASKA (90) – Baguio 20, Tenorio 19, Baracael 18, Parada 11, Thoss 10, Custodio 8, Eman 2, Gonzales 2, Salamat 0, Bugia 0.