PBA Friday Scores

Source : PBA.ph
ALASKA KEEPS HOPES ALIVES AS THEY BEAT POWERADE

Alaska Milk relied on LA Tenorio's fourth quarter heroics and strong offensive efforts from Tony
dela Cruz and rookie Mac Baracael as it repulsed Powerade, 121-111, Friday to remain in the playoff
hunt in the PBA Philippine Cup at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.



Tenorio erupted for 13 of his 23 points, dela Cruz had his best game in a long while and Baracael
had a career best 22-point effort as the Aces nailed their second win in nine outings to stay alive
in the race for the eighth and last playoff berth.

"Its good to be back," were the first words mentioned by Alaska coach Joel Banal referring to being
in the post-game interview as well as remaining in the playoff race.

"Mac (Baracael) had a strong game in this game, he really plays well in the power forward position,"
he added.

JV Casio, this year's top rookie overall pick, came through with career highs 26 points and 11
assists as well as fellow neophyte and former Smart Gilas teammate Marcio Lassiter, who fired a
personal PBA best 25 points but the Tigers just didn't have enough to stop Alaska's onslaught.

The total points by Alaska happens to be its best this conference since Banal took over from Tim
Cone, who is now with B-Meg.

Baracael and Gary David got into each other's nerves in their third quarter and were assessed with a

technical foul each.

Mac  Baracael, formerly of Smart Gilas picked sixth overall in the rookie draft this year, exploded
with 11 points in the second quarter when the Aces outgunned the Tigers, 32-22, to go into the break
seizing a 57-45 lead.

Baracael wound up with 16 first half points while Tony dela Cruz had 14 including eight in that big
second quarter onslaught.

JV Casio, this season's top overall pick, was on attack mode early as he fired 11 points in the
first quarter when Powerade kept things close and trailed by just two points, 23-25.

The scores:

ALASKA 121 - Tenorio 23, Dela Cruz 23, Baracael 22, Thoss 18, Reyes 8, Salamat 7, Custodio 7, Baguio
7, Eman 4, Bugia 2.

POWERADE 111 - Casio 26, Lassiter 25, David 20, Kramer 12, Cruz 6, Antonio 6, Adducul 4, Crisano 4,
Martinez 3, Calimag 3, Anthony 2, Vanlandingham 0, Allera 0.

Quarters: 25-23, 57-45, 89-79, 121-111

PETRON BEATS BARAKO BULL LED BY MIRANDA

Dennis Miranda came through when his team needed it most as Petron Blaze survived Barako Bull's
upset try and hang on to a 75-66 victory yesterday that solidified its place at third place in the
PBA Philippine Cup at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.

Miranda poured in 10 of his game-high 21 points in the fourth quarter including nine in a long
stretch that saw the Boosters turning a 54-59 deficit to a commanding 75-64 bulge that resulted in
their fourth win in row and seventh overall against three losses that was good enough to send them
closer to the pace-setting Talk ‘N Text Tropang Texters (7-1) and the Rain or Shine Elasto
Painters (7-2).

"Naging mas aggressive lang ako nung fourth quarter kaya ako nagka-kumpiyansa," said Miranda.

Miranda reprised his role in the PBA Governors’ Cup Finals wherein he came through a clutch
performance that saw Petron Blaze carve out a come-from-behind series win over fierce rival Talk
‘N Text.

"Parang naglaro sya (Miranda) nung championship, dinala nya ang team lalo na na off si Alex
(Cabagnot)," said Petron Blaze coach Ato Agustin.

Miranda was also stepping up in the absence of talented rookie Chris Lutz, who sat down again after
his right hamstring injury recurred, to save the day for the team that is already saddled with
injuries to Rabeh Al-Hussaini, Dondon Hontiveros and Jay Washington.

Arwind Santos fired 15 points, 10 of which also came in the last canto, and spiked his solid effort
with his ninth double-double effort in the conference after plucking 14 rebounds while Lordy Tugade,
back from a hand injury that sidelined him four months, chipped in 11 markers to help in the cause.

The Energy, who were led by Willie  Miller and Dorian Pena's 16 points each, fell to their fourth
defeat against five wins. It was also Barako Bull’s first back-to-back defeats in the conference
as it also lost to Rain or Shine 93-82 last Nov. 11.

The game though was not without some anxious moments after Barako Bull center Mick Pennisi, who
scored 12 points including nine from three-point area, was tossed out for picking up a flagrant foul
one against Santos late in the game and a technical foul early in the match for continuous
complaining.

Miller and Pena carried Barako on their shoulders in the third quarter when they seized a 52-51 lead
going into the final 12 minutes.

Petron Blaze bucked a slow start with  Tugade and Miranda leading the attack in the second period
when it outscored Barako Bull, 23-15, and go into the break with a 35-33 advantage.

Tugade, who last played in the Governors Cup eliminations last July, had seven points that all came
in the second period where Miranda and seasoned Danny Ildefonso also had six points apiece.

Barako Bull was on the attack mode and played rock-solid defense early to gain an 18-12 lead with
Pennisi leading the way with two early triples. (JV)

The scores:

PETRON BLAZE 75 - Miranda 21, Santos 15, Tugade 11, Cabagnot 8, Ildefonso 8, Baclao 4, Guevarra 4,
Reyes 2, Yeo 2, Agustin 0, Sharma 0.

BARAKO BULL 66 - Miller 16, Pena 16, Pennisi 12, Allado 9, Najorda 4, Salvador 4, Arboleda 3, Seigle
2, Ababou 0, Artadi 0, Salvacion 0.

Quarterscores: 12-18, 35-33, 51-52, 75-66